Willing and obedient wish you were seem to be an obvious pair should always go together. But I realize that this is not necessarily the case. Sometimes our obedience may be reluctant. Obedient often requires some form of sacrifices on our side, and laying down our self and our desires that could ring with it a measure of reluctance. Obedience is praiseworthy, even when it happens somewhat reluctantly.
In Luke 5 Read how do use it for teaching, the multitudes of people from Simon Peter’s boat on the lake of Gennesaret. When Jesus stop speaking to the multitudes, He said to Simon (Peter), Launch out into the deep and let your net down for a catch.” But Simon answered, and said to Him, “Master,” We have toiled up all night and caught nothing, Nevertheless, at Your Word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking .” (Luke 5:4-6). Peter’s (Simon) obedience came rather reluctantly, as they had already washed their nets after a fruitless day of fishing. And yet, even his reluctant obedience brought about a great blessing for him.
Even though God blesses, a reluctant act of obedience, God is looking for willing to obedience that flows from our love for Him. When you love someone, and you are in a relationship with them, you will gladly do certain things for them, even if it may require a sacrifice on your part. Your focus is the value you placed on your relationship, instead of the sacrifice it requires. God is pleased when we obey Him, But I think it brings joy to His heart, when obedience to his word comes from a place of willingness and love,
I have found myself rather reluctant obeying God, and somethings he specifically asked me to do. But I experience a wonderful joy and peace after pushing through, despite my own feelings. This experience affirmed God’s trustworthiness and faithfulness to me, And drew me in to a deeper place of intimacy and trust with Him.
Isaiah 64:5 says, “You come to help of those who gladly do right, who remember Your ways. Jesus said, if you love me, you will keep my commands (John 14:15, Amp), well, that settles for me. Even though obedience is what God says in His Word, or prompts me to do by His Holy Spirit, comes at a price at times, it’s always best to willing obey I have learned to trust Him.
Just last week, I ended up in the hospital with a heart condition. God warned me a year ago to change my diet or there could be grave consequences. But me being stubborn and wanting to eat, but I wanted to eat. I disobeyed. After almost having a heart attack in the emergency room. I immediately thought. Wow, was I stupid. Now I have to have a very strict diet and be on more medication than I thought I would ever be on.
We don’t have to obey God, we don’t have to choose what is right, and God will forgive us. But, we always have to live with the consequences of our actions.
From Pity to Praise 