The Proof Is In Your Desire To Be Obedient

# 167 - Today's Du-votional comes from: 1Sa 13:8 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.' God's command to Saul was to wait for Samuel for seven days. The seventh day dawned and no Samuel. The Philistines were getting ready to attack. This was a major test for King Saul. How will he react? Will he wait the full seven days? Testing. It's something we don't like to talk about. Yet we cannot deny it. Sometimes, God allows circumstances into our life that force us to make a choice concerning obedience. Will we remain obedient to Him in times of trial? For example, in Ex 16:4 we read, “Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. This was a simple test for the people. They were commanded to take a specified amount of manna, to take more or less would be disobedient. Obedience flows from people who have experienced the love of God through forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ and subsequently truly treasure God's commands. This is the crux of Jesus' statement, in Joh 14:15 ¶ "If you love Me, keep (treasure) My commandments. Luther said that God permits us to be tested, “in order that it may be seen whether we have true faith, love, and patience.” This test is for our benefit, not God's. True faith is marked by our God-given desire to be obedient, or by godly sorrow when we aren't. Just think of some of the pressure situations that people face on a regular basis. The temptation to engage in sexual sin, or the temptation to be dishonest, or drink to excess. These are opportunities to break God's commandments and sin. They are tests. But listen to the promise of God, for those who prevail, “ Jas 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, (demonstrated genuine faith) he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. It's quite simple. Love of God is proof of salvation. And as Jesus said, “If you love me keep (treasure) my commandments.