Renee was studying to be a Registered nurse. She was a believer and filled with the Holy Spirit. However, she suffered from self-doubt and feeling of inadequacy. She was very intelligent but had severe testing anxiety. She prayed to God for success to pass her nursing boards. God told her if she would be obedient then she will receive. Renee crammed late into the night and early morning on the day of her scheduled test. When she arrived at the testing center, her mind went blank. Instead of praying asking God for help, she took matters into her own hands. She decided to cheat. Renee felt the Holy Spirit being grieved and warning her to stop. Renee ignored the feelings and warnings. When she finished her test, she went to the administrator at the testing center to receive her testing scores. The administrator said, “Ma'am, I am sorry but your test has been disqualified and you are not eligible to take the nursing exams ever again because you violated our standard code of cheating. One of the test takers, reported you.” That instantly, Renee realized that the Holy Spirit was trying to warn her to do the right thing and she remember what God told her, “If she would be obedient then she will receive.”
How many times have you missed out on your blessings because you failed to listen to what God told you to do? If Renee had only trusted what God told her and not taken matters into her own hands then she would had passed her test or had another opportunity to take it again. Instead she chose to not listen and she has to deal with the consequences. God is full of mercy and grace and still will love Renee and everyone else in times of rebellion, disobedience, sin, etc. Deuteronomy 28:2 says, “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.” God knows what’s best for us and wants us to be obedient. 1 Samuel 15:22 says, “To obey is better than sacrifice”.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, You are holy, righteous, just, glorious, and victorious. You have conquered death and the enemy. You are a sovereign God and know what’s best for me. I come boldly to your throne of grace today to repent of any disobedience in my life. Lord, help me to stay in your will and not take matters in my own hands. I will crucify my flesh and take up my cross daily. I will not follow after my deceitful heart but after your ways because your ways are perfect. Isaiah 1:19 says, “If I am willing and obedient, I shall eat the good of the land.” Today I declare I am walking in obedience. Lord, I want everything that you have for me and not to miss out on my blessings. God, I love you so I will keep your commandments as in John 14:15. Lord, I asked that you go before me and make my crooked places straight. As in Acts 5:29, I will obey you Lord rather than men. Lord, you will lengthen my life and give me peace because I kept your commandments as in Proverbs 3:1-2. Lord, because I obey you, you will make me the head and not the tail as in Deuteronomy 28. Lord, I thank you for the strength to overcome because I can do all things in Christ that strengthen me in Jesus name Amen.