When Obedience Hurts

It may just be too soon to write this post.  There hasn't been much time to really process the events which have unfolded in the last two weeks.  Time hasn't passed so that we can look at it from a future perspective and see how God used it to mold us and to trust Him more.  But I think I have to write about it now, while the pain, the anger, the shock, the confusion, and the million other emotions that all hit at once are still reeling in our hearts and minds.  And I have to do it in a way that doesn't give any details - because the consequences are still settling and will be for a long time.

Suffice it to say that there was a group who were being faithful to the call God had placed on their lives. Difficult things were happening, and it would be very easy to go with the crowd rather than stand on principles found in the Word of God.  But this group didn't relent.  They stood firm.  They stood for truth and for honor.  They did what God's word taught and instructed them to do.  But it didn't work out the way they thought it would.  It seems to have ended horribly wrong.  Shock, bewilderment, doubt, and despair have all come into play.  And the hard questions have been asked, but none have been answered satisfactorily.

And I can't answer them either.  But, I do know that God is sovereign and in control.  He knew all of this would happen just exactly as it has.  He knew many would be devastated by these events.  He knew those who were being obedient would wonder (and will) what they did wrong or what they might have done differently.  And He will remind them they did exactly as He asked them to do.

David was obedient in not harming Saul when given the opportunity to do so, even though Saul was trying to kill him.  Elijah was faithful to God in asking for fire from heaven to destroy the offering of Baal's priests and then fell into a deep depression and asked God to take his life.  John the Baptist was faithful to rebuke the king for his immoral behavior and ended up with his head on a platter.  Jesus was obedient to death, even to death on a cross.

Obedience can hurt.  Perhaps you've been there.  Many people I love and care for are there now, and it's hard.  Praying for peace and wisdom upon each one of them.

1 Samuel 15:22  And Samuel said, "Has 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 listen than the fat of rams . . ."