Pray and Obey

I was reading Joyce Meyer's book "How to Hear from God" and came across a repeated phrase that struck a chord: "Pray and obey! Pray and obey!"

In looking for God's guidance, we don't always wait and listen to hear what God wants to say. Often we try to figure things out on our own and move ahead without asking God for his answers and direction. We only then come to a point of praying when we get ourselves in trouble, when we really need and want to hear from God!

If we get in the habit of praying first, and then planning and promising to just go do what God tells us to, our lives would be so much simpler and more powerful and effective. I'm preaching to myself here!

I came across the great promises that follow obedience in these wonderful words penned by David in Psalm 112 (NIV version). Let them sink into your heart and spirit and ask God what the next step of obedience is for you as you read them.

Praise the Lord.

Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands.

His children shall be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

Even in the darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.

Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

His heart is secure; he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.

The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.