Obedience Before the Promise

You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, so that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the Lord swore to [give] your fathers.

Deuteronomy 6:18 (AMP)

I remember that when I was in elementary school, my father repeatedly promised to grant me whatever I asked for, on one condition: that I get a good grade. He and I didn't have the same goal. His promise wasn't about a good grade, but about the effort I had to make to succeed. It was a constant effort. While I was aiming for what I wanted. My efforts were simply to obtain it.

One of the biggest mistakes believers make is hoping to receive from God what He has promised without complying with His demands. When God promises us something specific, no matter what He asks of us, He is aiming for only one thing: our obedience to His will. God could give us everything we desire without our obedience, but He knows that our obedience goes beyond His blessings. Obeying His Word will keep us from the influence of worldly lusts.

God already had a plan for giving the land to the people of Israel. However, He did not want them to become too comfortable after taking possession of the land and turn to other gods, falling into idolatry. Your obedience to God is far more important than what you expect from Him. Instead of giving you something to make you temporarily happy, He prefers to bring you into a relationship with Him and make you dependent on Him. This way, you will always be happy for the rest of your life. Obedience is better than a promise.

May God's grace and peace be with you all.