Listen and Obey
ICS Daily Devotions
Proverbs 16:3,9 (NKJV) Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established… A man’s heart plans his way but the LORD directs his steps.
A consecrated life is one set apart for the Lord in holiness. It covers every aspect of life, from choosing a life partner to managing our wealth, assets, gifting, and career. We choose to live for God, and this lifestyle causes us to always seek the Lord for His will and direction for our lives.
We should present the choice that we need to make to God but not have any preconceived ideas. In other words, we lay down our rights to God. The safeguards are:
1) Pray and ask God to speak to you primarily through His Word.
2) Be sensitive to the leading and witness of the Holy Spirit.
3) Seek godly counsel and share with them what you think God is leading you.
4) Take a step of faith if God has spoken to go ahead with the plan.
Luke 5: 6-9 (NJKV) And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken.
Last but not least, we need to act on what we have heard from the Lord. Simon Peter could have had two reactions when he heard the Lord’s instruction to launch into the deep: to continue to stay on shore or follow the instruction to launch into the deep. He acknowledged Jesus as Master and launched into the deep since it was Jesus who had instructed him, even though it wasn’t logical or professional to launch out into the deep during the day. Nevertheless, he acted on what he heard by obeying the instruction. As a result, they had such a huge catch that the boat began to sink under the weight of the fish! Simon Peter knew that it was supernatural and repented of his ways!
There must be a corresponding action to our faith when we perceive that we have heard from the Lord. We will not witness the work of God in our lives unless we step out in faith to believe.
The best way of consecration is to submit your plans to the Lord. Remember the four safeguards and trust that the Lord will lead you. When He has spoken to you, you will have a firm footing even when you are faced with a situation contrary to what you have heard from the Lord.
Sermon Series ： Consecration
