What was the first thing God gave Adam and Eve? Instructions. Why is it important to follow instructions? We follow instructions to show obedience, to survive, and to do things right. It’s important to follow the right instructions, so we get good results.
- Joshua 1:8 New King James Version – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
The world gives instructions that are in opposition to God’s instructions. Jesus came to earth–The Word of God–and left twelve disciples to spread the Good News of salvation and to teach people how to follow God’s instructions. Disciples are “disciplined ones” who follow Christ Jesus.
There are many voices, other than the LORD’s voice, that will try to instruct us–the enemy, our flesh, the world, and even our family all can have our ear. We must discern the Voice of the LORD above all other voices and obey Him.
- Matthew 7:22-23 New King James Version – Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
We must guard against the desire to fit in with the crowd. Often times the majority is going against the will of God. To be committed to Christ we must willing to stand out and go against the majority if the majority is doing what’s evil.
- Matthew 7:13 New King James Version – Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
Sometimes God gives us very specific instructions that must be followed precisely. God has procedures that won’t always make sense to us. But, we don’t have to understand in order to obey. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-seeing. We can trust that His Way is the best way. We just need to follow instructions. What is Noah only partially obeyed God and only build half of the ark? Half of an ark would not save anyone.
- Hebrews 11:7 New King James Version – By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
We must build up our faith in God, to obey God. Consider the word that the prophet Elisha gave three kings who needed a miracle to win the battle. Read the account in 2 Kings 3:15-27 to see how they won the battle by following one simple instruction–dig ditches in the desert. God miraculously filled the ditches with water and when the sun rose, the pools of water looked like pools of blood. This confused the enemy and the three kings went to war and won the battle.