"...Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1 Sam. 15:22).

Tremendous blessings come as a result of obeying God. Think about what the world would be like if everyone obeyed everything God said in His Word. If we were all fully obeying God all the time, this world would be Heaven on earth! Our obedience would bring love among mankind and justice to everyone.

However, the reality in today's world is that many believers put their own wills first, not God's will. When we put our own human wills first, we experience envy, malice, war, strife, injustice—and a whole lot of turmoil.

Also, some believers only obey God because they have to—not because they want to. But it's obedience to God from a willing heart that brings the blessings of God into our lives. Those who willingly choose to follow God and obey Him are the ones God rewards.

Once we obey God's will and follow after Him, we find peace instead of turmoil. We find God's justice instead of injustice. We find love and joy instead of malice and strife. And it's in the quiet resting place of obedience to God that we discover God's love.

It's in those times of trusting God obediently from the heart that our faith can flourish and grow. But when we do not obey God, we take ourselves out from underneath the protective hand of God, and we put ourselves in a position where Satan, the god of this world, can operate against us.

Of course, God never walks away from us. We walk away from God when we choose to disobey Him and fail to do what He's told us to do. But obedience to God and His Word brings a rest and a confident trust in Him.

And remember this: God has a greater claim on you than you do! If you've been redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you belong to God, and you are no longer lord of your own life—He is. You owe God your obedience. And it is easier to obey God when you understand the justice and the rightness of everything God says and does.

Also remember, we obey God by faith. In other words, it isn't always easy. However, it's easier to trust Him when we remember that the God of the impossible is taking care of every situation we face.

It's our choice whether we choose by faith to obey God or to resist Him. The rewards we will receive depend on our decision.

Therefore, you can choose to obey God fully in everything He's told you to do. The rich blessings of God are just waiting on your willing obedience. The Bible says God is not slack concerning His promises. Could it be that God is just waiting for your heartfelt obedience so He can pour out His blessings upon you?

Source: From a Pastor's Heart by Kenneth E. Hagin. Jr.
Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications