Many of us are acting out in rebellion and don’t know it. Whether it’s walking in unforgiveness with a spouse, staying in an unfruitful situation, or entering a wrong relationship, there are areas of our lives in which God wants to be in charge. In this devotional, gain the strength needed to leave the idol you’ve set up in your heart and say ‘Yes’ to His will for your life.
Dionne Dean
Day 1
Scriptures: 1 Samuel 15:22-24, Proverbs 16:18
I don’t willingly not listen to the Holy Spirit…I mean, I do, but not in a bad way. I don’t raise my fist, stomp my feet and yell like a grounded pre-adolescent teen arguing to go out with her friends. What I do, however, is put on my ‘know-it-all’ headphones and ignore the direction in which the Spirit of God is leading me, especially if it’s a place that I don’t want to go.
I do this in my marriage, my business and other areas that I’m not ready to submit to the Word and will of God. Who wants to ‘submit to one another’ when your husband wants to take a job across the country away from family and friends. Or submit to a plan of healthy eating and exercise, especially during the holidays. But scripture says that this constant rebellious attitude is like witchcraft—yes, witchcraft and sorcery and our stubbornness is as bad as idolatry. We have set up ourselves, our wills, and our emotions against God.
I don’t want to be God’s enemy. I want to be his daughter. I want my life to sing and my obedience to be worship. I’m going to submit…will you?
Day 2
Scriptures: Psalms 68:6, Luke 13:3-5, Isaiah 1:19
Have you ever been in a dry season? A season where absolutely nothing worked. You’re fighting with your spouse, you’re not booking any new clients, making any leeway at work, or your kids are not engaged in anything you’re trying to do with them. Is this all happenstance, or are you in a parched land?
Everything is not going to go perfectly at all times, but there are times in my life where nothing is working and I know it’s because of an action or inaction on my part. I was willingly disobedient in an area, putting my thoughts higher than the His thoughts and as a result, nothing was working.
I have a cure for you: repentance. I’m not talking about Sunday repentance at the altar. I’m talking a simple, ‘I’m sorry Lord. I submit. I change my mind’. The reaction and results of your repentance may not be immediate, but it’s the first step in the right direction. Keep saying yes, not matter how hard it may be. Your life will change.
Day 3
Scriptures: Psalms 106:35-36, Hebrews 12:1-2
Rebellion is so tiresome; it really is. You’re literally running in the opposite direction of everything that is God. Even in the most treacherous of storms, there’s comfort in knowing that it is a God-ordained storm rather than a storm of your own making.
In Psalm 106, the Psalmist highlights the disobedience of ‘The Children of Israel’ and it is a tiresome tale. By the end of the scripture, you’re just like, ‘Obey already!’ But oh goodness, isn’t that they way the angels of the Lord look at us? Like ‘C’mon people, obey already!’
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live my life in my own power anymore. I’m tired of scraping my knees and bumping my head at every turn. I want God’s direction and I want God’s blessing, so that even in the tough times, I know they’re not in vain.
Day 4
Scriptures: Matthew 13:58, Romans 10:14
A lot of times we rebel because we don’t think God knows what he’s talking about. As if our 30, 40, or 100 years on earth trumps the wisdom of the creator of universe. In our flesh and from our worldly point of view, it’d seem like we know everything about the situation we’re in. God has noooooooo idea how I’m feeling, what I’m going through or my plans. He’s just up there in the sky somewhere being Godly!
This I know: every time I work out of my self, I fail. When I pay attention to and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, I win. I get in the Word of God and then something I’m reading is confirmed by a minister of the gospel, or simply my best friend in conversation. I’m comforted to know that God will get a message to me even in the midst of my rebellion to lead to me out.
I choose to be a believer so that God can make miracles happen in my life.
Day 5
Scriptures: Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:1-3, Psalms 27:13
I don’t want to live a heavy life, carrying around weights and burdens that I was never intended to carry. Doing so would make the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ of none effect. Why take on all of our sins at the cross if we were going to rebel and pick them all up again? I aim not to disrespect the sacrifice of Christ.
I’m ready to receive the promise of rest, knowing that it doesn’t mean that I’ll never have problems in this world. However, the problems I do have won’t be as a result of my pride, arrogance, unbelief and disobedience. As scary as it may be at the moment, I’m just gonna close my eyes and follow Him. It may not be easy, it may kill your flesh and destroy your pride. But what do we have to lose? We have to know our God and if we’re not in a place of trust, tell Him. I promise you that He won’t be offended. Open your heart and your mouth and lay it all on the line. He desires to draw us to and through Him to the best parts of Himself. Trust me when I say that we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.