his say-so
"If You say so, I will lower the nets." —Luke 5:5
One of the most crucial decisions in life is to do what we don't understand, just because God said so. This is walking by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). In this way, we let the Lord raise us above our human limitations. Children who refuse to do something just because their parents tell them to do it will seriously deprive themselves. It's the same with us who are God's children. We don't know everything we need to know. We don't know the future. We can't read people's minds. We can't even know ourselves that well. We are doomed to be captive to our human limitations unless we have the faith to obey the all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving God.
The truly great people in history obeyed God when they didn't understand. Noah couldn't understand why God wanted him to build an ark. Moses didn't see how he could free his nation from slavery. Isaiah didn't understand why he should prophesy to a nation that God knew wouldn't listen (Is 6:8-10). Ananias didn't think it was a good idea to visit Saul, who was in town to arrest Christians (Acts 9:13ff). Joseph didn't see why he should refrain from divorcing Mary (Mt 1:19). Mary didn't understand how she could remain a virgin and conceive Jesus. Trust not in your own understanding (Prv 3:5). Obey God.
Prayer: Father, may I go against my "better" judgment and do Your will.
Promise: "By God's favor I am what I am." —1 Cor 15:10
Praise: "How deep are the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How inscrutable His judgments, how unsearchable His ways!...To Him be glory forever. Amen" (Rm 11:33, 36).
Reference: (For a related teaching on Obedience School, view or download our leaflet or our teaching on Obeying God. Listen to or download our CD 62-3 or DVD 62-CH-3 at presentationministries.com or order our tape on audio AV 62-3 or video 62.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, September 28, 2015
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