Practical Obedience to God's Word in Difficult Circumstances
Practical obedience to God's word, especially in difficult circumstances, involves a conscious and continuous effort to align one's life with divine commands. This obedience is not merely external but deeply rooted in one's inner disposition and is often presented as a characteristic of saints [2, 13].
The Bible frequently commands heedfulness and obedience to God's word. For instance, Deuteronomy 13:4 states that obedience to God is commanded, and Joshua 22:5 exhorts believers to "take diligent heed" to keep God's commandments [1, 2, 12]. This heedfulness extends to various aspects of life, including the care of the soul, worship, conduct, speech, and interactions with others [1]. It also involves guarding against sin, unbelief, idolatry, and false teachings [1]. John Gill notes that the word of God should be "in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it," implying both confession and heartfelt reception of its power [11]. Matthew Henry further emphasizes that the purpose of wisdom's discourse is to bring about "an entire subjection to the laws of religion" and to "rectify what is amiss in our hearts and lives" [10].
Obedience is intrinsically linked with faith, as it is considered impossible without it [2]. Christ himself serves as the ultimate example of obedience, demonstrating it through his life and actions [2]. Angels are also depicted as engaged in obedience [2]. This obedience includes heeding God's voice, obeying His law, obeying Christ, and obeying the gospel [2]. The Geneva Bible translation of Psalms 105:45 highlights the purpose of God's works: "That they might keepe his statutes, and obserue his Lawes" [3].
In challenging times, practical obedience requires several key virtues. Patience is enjoined, with trials leading to its development [4]. This patience should have its "perfect work," enabling believers to run the race set before them and bring forth fruit [4]. Watchfulness is also commanded, often paired with prayer [5]. Jesus himself exhorted his disciples to "Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation" [7, 9]. This watchfulness should be exercised at all times and in all things, accompanied by steadfastness in faith and sobriety [5]. Prudence, which is intimately connected with wisdom, helps believers to foresee and avoid evil, and to understand God's ways [6]. Adam Clarke suggests that suffering "according to the will of God" involves enduring for righteousness' sake without retaliation, and committing one's life to God's trustworthy care [13]. The book of Acts reminds believers that "through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God," encouraging perseverance in faith [8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heedfulness — Commanded -- Ex 23:13; Pr 4:25-27. Necessary In the care of the soul. -- De 4:9. In the house and worship of God. -- Ec 5:1. In what we hear. -- Mr 4:24. In how we hear. -- Lu 8:18. In keeping God's commandments. -- Jos 22:5. In conduct. -- Eph 5:15. In speech. -- Pr 13:3; Jas 1:19. In worldly company. -- Ps 39:1; Col 4:5. In giving judgment. -- 1Ch 19:6,7. Against sin. -- Heb 12:15,16. Against unbelief. -- Heb 3:12. Against idolatry. -- De 4:15,16. Against false Christs, and false prophets. -- Mt 24:4,5,23,24. Against false teachers. -- Phm 3:2; Col 2:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
- Psalms “Psalms 105:45 (Geneva1599) — That they might keepe his statutes, and obserue his Lawes. Prayse ye the Lord.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Patience — God, is the God of -- Ro 15:5. Christ, an example of -- Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 27:14. Enjoined -- Tit 2:2; 2Pe 1:6. Should have its perfect work -- Jas 1:4. Trials of saints lead to -- Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3. Produces Experience. -- Ro 5:4. Hope. -- Ro 15:4. Suffering with, for well-doing, is acceptable with God -- 1Pe 2:20. To be exercised Running the race set before us. -- Heb 12:1. Bringing forth fruits. -- Lu 8:15. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; Ga 6:9. Waiting for God. -- Ps 37:7; 40:1. Waiting for Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 2Th 3:5. Waiting for the hope of the gospel. -- R”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Watchfulness — Christ an example of -- Mt 26:38,40; Lu 6:12. Commanded -- Mr 13:37; Re 3:2. Exhortations to -- 1Th 5:6; 1Pe 4:7. God especially requires in ministers -- Eze 3:17; Isa 62:6; Mr 13:34. Ministers exhorted to -- Ac 20:31; 2Ti 4:5. Faithful ministers exercise -- Heb 13:17. Faithful ministers approved by -- Mt 24:45,46; Lu 12:41-44. Should be With prayer. -- Lu 21:36; Eph 6:18. With thanksgiving. -- Col 4:2. With steadfastness in the faith. -- 1Co 16:13. With heedfulness. -- Mr 13:33. With sobriety. -- 1Th 5:6; 1Pe 4:7. At all times. -- Pr 8:34. In all thin”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
- Mark “Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -- Mark 14:38”
- Acts “confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God. -- Acts 14:22”
- Matthew “Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -- Matthew 26:41”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 8:32: We have here the application of Wisdom's discourse; the design and tendency of it is to bring us all into an entire subjection to the laws of religion, to make us wise and good, not to fill our heads with speculations, or our tongues with disputes, but to rectify what is amiss in our hearts and lives. In order to this, here is, I. An exhortation to hear and obey the voice of Wisdom, to attend and comply with the good instructions that the word of God gives us, and in them to discern the voice of Christ, as the sheep know the shepherd's voice. 1. We must be dilig”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 30:14: But the word is very nigh unto thee,.... In the ministration of it by those who clearly, plainly, and faithfully preach it, and in the application of it by the Spirit of God to the heart; and in the gracious experience converted persons have of the power and efficacy of it in them, and of the comfort they receive from it: in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it; in the mouth by confession, being not ashamed to own it, and profess it before men; and in the heart, where it is come with power, has a place, and works effectually, and is cordially be”
- Joshua (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Joshua 22:5: But take diligent heed, etc. - Let us examine the force of this excellent advice; they must ever consider that their prosperity and continued possession of the land depended on their fidelity and obedience to God; to this they must take diligent heed. Do the commandment - They must pay the strictest regard to every moral precept. And the law - They must observe all the rites and ceremonies of their holy religion. Love the Lord your God - Without an affectionate filial attachment to their Maker, duty would be irksome, grievous, and impossible. Walk in all his ways - ”
- 1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 4:19: Suffer according to the will of God - A man suffers according to the will of God who suffers for righteousness' sake; and who, being reviled, reviles not again. Commit the keeping of their souls - Place their lives confidently in his hand, who, being their Creator, will also be their preserver, and keep that safely which is committed to his trust. God is here represented as faithful, because he will always fulfill his promises, and withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly. But they had no reason to hope that he would care for their lives and souls unles”