“Because I said so!” Does that phrase make you cringe? Does it remind you of the words your parents said to you, and you vowed you would not utter those words to your children?

I am chuckling to myself, because I too was determined not to utter that phrase to my children, at least not without an explanation. But of course, I failed at that commitment.

However, I do reflect on the times when those words flew out of my mouth and the look on my children’s faces, with one of them asking questions.

How many times has God spoken those words to us and we clap back with a series of questions?

We can hear God’s Word and even nod in agreement. But why is it so difficult to obey what He said?

Hearing God’s truth is only half the battle. Obeying God’s truth is where the real battle begins.

Jesus taught a great lesson in the parable of the soils. He compares those who hear the truth but do not act on it.

 “When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,  yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away” (Matthew 13:19-21).

When we receive the Word of God and do not apply it, the Word only last a brief time in our lives. When challenges come, we revert to being the same way we were before we heard God speak.

Hearing from God does not change our lives. It is applying what we hear from God that changes our lives.

When we hear the truth of God’s Word, we should ask ourselves: How am I going to apply that truth to my life?

Oftentimes, when we hear the Word of God we question if the Word even applies to us.

Jesus’ brother James gives us a valuable reason we should not question if the Word of God should be applied to our lives.

“ But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22 ESV)

I know it is not easy to act without having details or know the outcome.

Remember how God commanded the Israelites to march around the walls of Jericho for six days? God told them on the seventh day, the walls would fall (Joshua 6:1-27).

I interjected myself into the story. My initial thought would have been, “God, you want us to march around these walls for six days and on the seventh day the walls will fall!?”  I would have complied, but honestly a mental battle would have taken place. “How will the walls fall?” “Will they slowly crumble?” “Will they crash down?” Mental battles as such opens the door for fear to creep in because the details of the outcome are unknown.

But those Israelites had faith. Daily as they marched around the walls, they looked at the walls and not only thought what COULD God do, but also what He WOULD DO…they thanked God in advance, and they kept marching in faith.

They did not question what God spoke to them. They did not try to figure out how the walls would fall. They  had faith in what God told them, and they praised God while waiting on the  outcome (Joshua 6:20).

From experience I have learned that the most powerful way to remain faithful to God is to hear and do what His Word commands me to do by the leading and guidance of the Holy spirit.

It is simple, but costly to do what God say. It will cost us our agenda, our pride, our time, our will and more. But what a great exchange!

If you ever question how great the exchange is, think about Jesus. He did exactly what God told him to do(John 6:38) unto death (Philippians 2:5-11),and the result is the opportunity for eternal life(John 17:3; 1 John 5:11)

God’s Word is so…. BECAUSE HE SAID SO!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want to be a doer of Your Word. Help me to hear Your Word and act on what You are commanding me. Forgive me for my lack of faith and hesitancy to obey You when it does not make sense or when I do not have all the answers. I pray for an understanding and a love for Your Word. Holy Spirit reveal to me any hinderances to my faith. In Jesus’s Name, Amen

PEARLStoPONDER: Why am I so quick to question God’s Word?

Luke 8:11-15-- Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹² The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. ¹⁴ And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. ¹⁵ As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Luke 22:42--saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”