Oswald Says...On Study & Obedience

All of God’s revealed truths are sealed until they are opened to us through obedience. You will never open them through philosophy or thinking. But once you obey, a flash of light comes immediately...

The only way you can get to know the truth of God is to stop trying to find out and by being born again. If you obey God in the first thing He shows you, then He instantly opens up the next truth to you. You could read volumes on the work of the Holy Spirit, when five minutes of total, uncompromising obedience would make things as clear as sunlight...

And it is not study that brings understanding to you, but obedience. Even the smallest bit of obedience opens heaven, and the deepest truths of God immediately become yours. Yet God will never reveal more truth about Himself to you, until you have obeyed what you know already.

~Oswald Chambers~
(excerpts from October 10 devotional)

I read this devotional today and I thought it was such a timely lesson. It speaks to my very personality. My natural inclination is to go to books when there is something I don't understand. I can research the fool out of just about anything. At one point I thought a career as a Research Assistant would be perfect for me because I just love to dig up the answers to questions.

I am this way when I have questions about God too. If I want to understand prayer, the Holy Spirit, the Resurrection, hope, or whatever I will go and find myself a book, a devotional, or an article and try to find my answers there. Oftentimes many of my questions are answered but I am always left wanting. Yes, I now have head knowledge and I understand the concept but it just isn't real to me. I may understand the theology of the Holy Spirit, but I don't KNOW the Holy Spirit. It is quite frustrating. How can all my efforts leave me empty? I am putting my focus in learning about God and not something trivial, wouldn't He bless me for that and give me a deeper understanding? Hmmmm.

I had one of those "Ah Hah!" moments this afternoon when I picked up my copy of My Utmost For His Highest and read this devotional. Wow! So, God will reveal truth to me only when I have shown him obedience. When he gives me a nugget of truth and I grab it and use it in obedience He will give me another nugget of truth. Interesting! I think I've really found something here.

Yes, all my book learning has its place. Proper theology is very important and I will always pursue it. But, now I think I might have learned how to take that academic study and make it real...from head to my heart as some might say. It is how I use that knowledge. It is in obedience. I am ready to start receiving those nuggets of truth. Bring them on, Lord!

Wow!! Not only did I give the house a good cleaning today I also really learned something. I think I can write today off as being well spent.