How can we "obey and serve" God in our daily lives today? The Promise of Job 36:11 “If they obey and serve Him, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.” (Job 36:11) God links willing obedience and practical service with a life marked by His favor and peace. The verse does not teach effortless ease but assures that God’s presence and provision rest on those who live under His authority. Obedience and Service—Two Sides of One Coin • Obedience: hearing God’s Word, submitting to it, and acting on it without delay (John 14:15; James 1:22). • Service: using every ability, resource, and moment to advance His glory and bless people (Galatians 5:13; Colossians 3:17). These are inseparable; obedience fuels service, and service gives obedience visible form. Daily Patterns of Obedience • Start in Scripture: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) • Offer your body each morning: “Present your bodies as living sacrifices… your spiritual service of worship.” (Romans 12:1) • Guard speech: “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need.” (Ephesians 4:29) • Focus thoughts on truth and purity (Philippians 4:8). • Choose immediate, wholehearted obedience whenever the Spirit convicts. Ordinary Opportunities to Serve • Home life – Husbands loving sacrificially (Ephesians 5:25) – Parents guiding children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4) • Work and study – “Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men.” (Ephesians 6:7) – “Whatever you do… do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17) • Church family – Use spiritual gifts to build up others (1 Peter 4:10) – Gather faithfully and spur one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Community and world – Serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13) – Let light shine through good works that glorify the Father (Matthew 5:16) Heart Attitudes that Delight God • Humility patterned after Christ (Philippians 2:3-5) • Gladness in serving: “Serve the LORD with gladness.” (Psalm 100:2) • Gratitude in every circumstance (1 Thessalonians 5:18) • Love that gives meaning to every act (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) • Perseverance, steady and immovable, knowing labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58) Blessings that Flow from Obedience • Deeper intimacy: “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them… I will love him and reveal Myself to him.” (John 14:21) • Peace that guards the mind (Isaiah 26:3) • Provision for needs: “Seek first the kingdom of God… and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) • Eternal reward: “The crown of righteousness… for all who crave His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8) Walking Forward with Confidence Hold Job 36:11 close to heart. Each choice to obey, each act of service, weaves your days into the pattern God promises—prosperity of soul, years filled with His joy, and eternal satisfaction in His presence. |
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