Stretch Forth Your Hand 10/28
Stretch Forth Your Hand
Jesus knew the critical thoughts of the religious leaders. He understood their hostility. Yet He did not allow their reaction to dictate His obedience to the Father. He called the man to stand up in front of everyone. Then Jesus asked him to do the impossible: “Stretch forth thy hand.” The man had a choice. He could obey the command or listen to his doubts.
The man obeyed. He stretched out his withered hand, and it was restored. He became whole. His obedience happened while his critics were still watching. Their disapproval did not stop his healing. The power to heal belonged entirely to Jesus, but the response required was simple obedience.
You may be delaying a step of obedience because you fear someone’s reaction. You wait for a perfect moment when no one will object. But God’s call on your life does not require anyone else’s permission. When God’s Word makes your duty clear, you must obey. What is one thing God has told you to do that you’ve postponed because of someone else’s opinion?
“Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9)
Prayer: Ask Jesus for the courage to obey Him today, even if others might not understand or approve.
Challenge: Write down one act of obedience you have been avoiding. Take the first step to do it before sunset.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Jesus knew the critical thoughts of the religious leaders. He understood their hostility. Yet He did not allow their reaction to dictate His obedience to the Father. He called the man to stand up in front of everyone. Then Jesus asked him to do the impossible: “Stretch forth thy hand.” The man had a choice. He could obey the command or listen to his doubts.
The man obeyed. He stretched out his withered hand, and it was restored. He became whole. His obedience happened while his critics were still watching. Their disapproval did not stop his healing. The power to heal belonged entirely to Jesus, but the response required was simple obedience.
You may be delaying a step of obedience because you fear someone’s reaction. You wait for a perfect moment when no one will object. But God’s call on your life does not require anyone else’s permission. When God’s Word makes your duty clear, you must obey. What is one thing God has told you to do that you’ve postponed because of someone else’s opinion?
“Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9)
Prayer: Ask Jesus for the courage to obey Him today, even if others might not understand or approve.
Challenge: Write down one act of obedience you have been avoiding. Take the first step to do it before sunset.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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