Anchor Devotional

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Running Loose

“[Jesus] replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’” Luke 11:28

My wife and three young sons were near the back of the church sanctuary while I was up front, ready to preach a sermon. After singing a hymn, everyone sat down except our middle son who dashed away from his horrified mother, darted up the center aisle, climbed the platform steps, and jumped into my arms. I said, “Hi.” I asked him to say “Hello” to the congregation, and then politely sent him back to his seat. Later we learned that our oldest son had commanded him to do this, and he was just obeying!

It made me wonder about my obedience level. Do I readily run to obey God’s commands and directions? More typically, I suppose, I delay and pause to ponder the pros and cons. I think about bargaining with God rather than simply obeying.

In what area of life is obedience hard for you? Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). If Jesus is to be at home in you, dash to obedience, even if it means running loose down the aisle in church!

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Luke 11:14-28

INSIGHT
“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way/ To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” (John H. Sammis, 1887)

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Isaiah 59-60
Psalm 100
Acts 23

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