When we obey, trembling and fearful as we may be, we are also
able to witness the Lord’s power in especially significant ways.
God, not knowing what the future would
hold.
Nevertheless, as admirable as human
obedience may be, the glory does not culmi-
nate in our decision to follow. Instead,
because God is the great storyteller, it is
he who brings out of our obedience an
ultimately beautiful reward. As we humble
ourselves under God’s mighty hand, he will,
at the proper time, lift us up (see 1 Peter
5:6). When we obey, trembling and fearful
as we may be, we are also able to witness
the Lord’s power in especially significant
ways. Sometimes, we see God’s power in
astonishing expressions, like when the Isra-
elites had the faith to walk through the Red
Sea and witnessed their salvation and the
destruction of the Egyptians. But often, it
is in small ways, like when God calls us to
serve, share his love and be witnesses of his
redemption in our lives. Maybe we feel inad-
equate, as though we have nothing to offer.
When we step out in obedience anyways, we
are able to see time and time again, that the
surpassing power belongs to God, and most
definitely not to us (see 2 Corinthians 4:7).
As seen beautifully expressed in 2 Corin-
thians chapter 3:
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to
claim anything as coming from us, but our suffi-
ciency is from God, who has made us sufficient
to be ministers of a new covenant,” 2 Corinthians
3:5-6a
Nonetheless, there are those acts of
obedience which we may not reap a harvest
for until we reach our heavenly home.
Abraham left his native land for a place that
God had promised him as an inheritance.
But in his lifetime, he never saw the comple-
tion of this promise. Therefore, we must fix
our eyes on our true homeland, our heav-
enly country, just as Abraham did and many
others who lived for a world beyond this
temporal one.
Overall, it is true that obedience is
costly. Sometimes even terrifying. However,
we have found the treasure in the field. We
have discovered the pearl of great worth.
And following Jesus in obedience should be
cause of great joy. Not because of what we
are losing, but because of the everlasting life
that we have gained. As so beautifully stated
in this verse:
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure
hidden in a field, which a man found and
covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all
that he has and buys that field. Matthew 13:44
(see also vs. 45)
Juliane Wiebracht is a homemaker in Longview,
TX who shares God’s love with women who are
incarcerated.
www.himpowermagazine.com 9