Monday, August 22, 2011

Crazy Obedience

Noah. Abraham. Jacob. Moses. David.

These are just a few of the men who the Lord used in mighty ways for the advancement of His kingdom on earth. But I have the opinion that when they answered the call of the LORD and were obedient to that call, many around them found them to be crazy. Here’s a portion of what is recorded in Hebrews 11 regarding some of these men –

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of righteousness which is according to faith.” (vs.7)

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. . . By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; it was he to whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your descendants shall be called.’ He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead . . .” (vs.8, 17-19)

And, Moses, “By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land . . .” (vs.27-29)

These are just a handful of men who displayed crazy faith in the LORD. I mean, think about it. When God told Noah to build the ark because He was going to send a flood to destroy the earth – it had never rained before . . . ever. But that didn’t seem to hinder Noah’s obedience. He kept right on building – probably while a nation mocked him. Abraham was called by God to go, but the Lord didn’t even tell him where he was going. But that didn’t hinder Abraham’s obedience. He went. Abraham was even willing to offer his one and only son on an altar as an act of obedience to the Lord. Moses had faith in God when all around him, the Israelites complained, fought, and cast blame. Despite all this, Moses’ obedience was not hindered.

The LORD often calls us to that which is crazy in the eyes of the world; to the things that don’t make sense. No matter how illogical the call seems through the worlds eyes, if the LORD calls you to it, will you be obedient?

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