Obedience Before Revelation
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Aug 31, 2023
- 2 min read
But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)
Have you ever sought answers and a specific direction about the plan God has for your life? It’s not wrong to search the Word and ask God for answers to the questions you have, but many times in our desire for revelation, we overlook the vital importance of simply being obedient to God's written Word. Deuteronomy 4:29-31 reminds us that when we seek the Lord with all our hearts and souls, we will find Him. God is ever-present and always ready to respond to us. However, the text also tells us that our obedience to what God already said paves the way for greater revelation.
Parents understand this. When my kids were growing up, I sometimes told them to clean their rooms and then we would do something fun. However, somehow, they didn’t always clean their rooms. They would put stuff under the bed and hide it in the closet. Then, when the inspection happened, they acted like it surprised them when they didn’t get rewarded. They didn’t finish the first instruction. Just as a child must first clean their room before receiving a privilege, God calls us to fulfill what He already said before expecting further guidance. When we don’t study and obey His written Word, we stop the flow of deeper revelation.
God is not a God of contradictions. His promises are fulfilled when we align our lives with His principles outlined in His Word. When we willingly obey what He has already spoken, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and deeper revelation.
Practical Application
When you face any decisions, challenges, or uncertainties in life, make it a point to first consult the Bible for guidance and wisdom.
