We have learned that being submissive to God in all things will open wide the
doors of grace. However there is an element of submission that we often tend to
ignore: submission always includes obedience, no matter what the cost!
Jesus provided us with a powerful counsellor, One that would never contradict
His written Word, the Bible. "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will
guide you into all truth." (John 16:13 NIV) He will always prompt us towards
obedience. Some of these promptings will be delightful and easy to follow.
Others will be more hmmm… heart-wrenching!
Let's take a look at the prophet Isaiah, for example: "God told Isaiah son of
Amoz, 'Go, take off your clothes and sandals,' and Isaiah did it, going about
naked and barefooted." (Isa 20:2 The Message)
You likely wonder if you read this right, but you did. Feel free to check any
other Bible versions out there, or even the original Hebrew text. Isaiah was
prompted to walk in his birthday suit, not for an hour, nor for a day, but for 3
years!
How would you feel if you were the prophet Isaiah? Would you want to walk a mile
in his shoes... Uh... Bare feet?
"No way would I ever do any of such nonsense! They would lock me up in the loony
bin!"
But notice that Isaiah never questioned the request. He knew without a doubt
that it came from God and he obeyed. He subjected himself to ridicule for an
entire three years!
At least his clothing budget was manageable!
Because of Isaiah's obedience, God had a visual message for those around him,
one that they would never forget. And then it came true:
"Then God said, 'Just as my servant Isaiah has walked around town naked and
barefooted for three years as a warning sign to Egypt and Ethiopia, so the king
of Assyria is going to come and take the Egyptians as captives and the
Ethiopians as exiles. He'll take young and old alike and march them out of there
naked and barefooted, exposed to mockery and jeers - the bared buttocks of Egypt
on parade!'" (Isa 20:3 The Message)
But remember that if it hadn't come true, Isaiah would have, indeed, been named
the fool of centuries! And please don't go out now and start a new fashion
called the "bared buttocks on parade!" There is enough of that going around
already!
Submission includes unhesitant and whole-hearted obedience. It doesn't include
comments such as: "I will do it, but I really don't want to!" Or "This is
stupid! So stupid! I will make sure everybody hears about my complaints!"
Jesus also gave us specific commands, ones we never have to doubt came from God
Himself: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so
you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV)
This command can be summarized in three little words: "Love others" and
"witness". And sadly enough, these three simple words are often disregarded!
One time, during the many years that I have been a teacher, I was encouraged by
God's Spirit to attend a local speech competition that one of my students would
participate in.
Notice my wining: "But Lord, it's right during church time!"
The answer was clear: "Go!"
I went with my youngest son. My student, as well as her family were ecstatic.
"My teacher cares for me!"
A couple of months later, her grandpa had to undergo some serious heart surgery.
His life expectancy was at stake and my student was in tears. She came to me and
asked: "Could you please pray for my grandpa?" There were other students around
and I invited them to join me in this special request.
Her grandpa went through surgery with flying colours and was soon back on his
feet! All I could do is praise the Lord!
A few months later, that special little girl came once again to me and
announced: "I am a Christian too!"
Oh the power of obedience to God!
Imagine the looks on the faces of all the people who mocked Isaiah, when what he
preached came true! What would have been their reaction? There is no way they
could continue ridiculing him! I bet some, if not many, gave their heart to God
as a result!
Obedience to God will always lead to supernatural love towards others, which, in
turn, will lead to salvation! "By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35 NIV)
The same is true with the following New Testament command: "Submit yourselves
for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men…" (1 Peter 2:13
NIV). Notice: This includes your boss, the mayor, police officers, beloved (or
not-so beloved) presidents and prime ministers... In fact, when Peter wrote this
particular passage, the emperor was far from being on anybody's favourite list!
He was a cruel persecutor!
May we pay attention to the promptings of God's Holy Spirit!
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the
rebellion." (Heb 3:15 NIV)
What will your response be?
Do you have a pair of shorts to loan to Isaiah? It seems he misplaced them
somewhere!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.