How can we apply the lesson of obedience from 1 Kings 20:36 today? The Scene in 1 Kings 20:36 “Then he said to him, ‘Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, as soon as you leave me, a lion will kill you.’ And when he had gone, a lion found him and killed him.” (1 Kings 20:36) • A prophet, speaking for God, gave a clear command. • The listener dismissed that command, assuming no real consequence. • God immediately vindicated His word; the lion’s attack underscored that disregarding divine instructions is never trivial. Obedience Matters to God • Deuteronomy 28:1-2—obedience opens the door to blessing, while disobedience invites discipline. • 1 Samuel 15:22—“To obey is better than sacrifice.” • John 14:15—Jesus links love for Him with keeping His commandments. • James 1:22—hearers who fail to do the Word deceive themselves. Timely Lessons for Us Today • God’s commands are not suggestions; they carry His full authority. • Delayed or partial obedience is, in fact, disobedience. • Consequences may not always be as immediate or dramatic as a lion, yet they are real (Galatians 6:7-8). • Obedience is an expression of trust; when we ignore God’s voice, we imply our wisdom surpasses His. • Public witness hinges on personal obedience—our credibility before a watching world depends on taking God at His Word (Matthew 5:16). Practical Steps to Walk in Obedience 1. Saturate your mind with Scripture – “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11) 2. Respond immediately to conviction – The fishermen “left their nets at once and followed Him.” (Mark 1:18) 3. Lean on the Spirit’s enabling power – “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) 4. Cultivate accountability – Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 5. Keep short accounts with God – Confess quickly (1 John 1:9) and realign your steps when you stumble. Encouragement from Christ’s Example • “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8) • “But so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me.” (John 14:31) His flawless obedience secures our salvation and models the path we are to walk. Living the Lesson Take God’s Word at face value, act on it promptly, and trust Him with the outcome. Obedience is the tangible proof that we believe He is wiser, truer, and better than any alternative voice—including our own. |
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