The Dilemma of Obedience
There is a quiet weight that comes with hearing the voice of God and knowing what He has called us to do. It is rarely announced with grandeur, nor does it come with flashing lights or a booming declaration. Instead, God speaks in ways that are easy to overlook, ways that can be mistaken for mere circumstances, yet they bear the unmistakable imprint of His hand. The challenge is not in whether He speaks, but in whether we recognize His voice and respond in obedience.
Samuel found himself in such a moment of decision. God had spoken to him concerning Eli, the very man who had nurtured him in the temple. The weight of that revelation rested upon Samuel, and he feared to speak it aloud. This is the dilemma of obedience—not whether we hear God, but whether we are willing to act on what He has spoken. There are times when obedience will bring discomfort, not only to ourselves but to those we love. Yet to shrink back in hesitation is to place human sentiment above divine instruction.
Oswald Chambers reminds us that if we try to shield others from what God intends for them, we step into the role of amateur providence, interfering with what He is doing in their lives. It is not ours to manipulate circumstances to soften the edges of God’s dealings with another. Samuel was not commanded to deliver the message to Eli; rather, he had to decide if he would walk in truth, no matter how difficult. Likewise, there are times when God speaks something to our hearts that we must carry with reverence, allowing Him to direct when and how it is shared.
A sculptor does not consult the marble before striking with the chisel. Each deliberate movement removes what does not belong, revealing what was always within the stone. If the sculptor hesitated, fearing to cause distress to the marble, the masterpiece would never emerge. In the same way, God's work in us and in those around us requires precision, sometimes in ways that seem harsh in the moment. If we step in to shield where God intends to shape, we do a disservice to both the work and the Worker.
The call to obedience requires a listening heart. God does not force His voice upon us, but He does press upon our circumstances, bidding us to recognize His hand. Every challenge, every moment of chastening, is an invitation to say, “Speak, Lord.” As we yield, our ears become attuned, and we hear Him more clearly, not just in the grand moments, but in the everyday unfolding of life.
Prayer of Trust
Father, we rest in the certainty that You are always speaking, always working, always shaping us according to Your perfect wisdom. We trust that what You reveal to us is not for us to manipulate, but to obey. Thank You that Your voice is not distant, but near, drawing us into a deeper walk of faith. In every circumstance, we listen. In every pressing moment, we yield. May our obedience reflect our confidence in You, knowing that Your plans are always good. Amen.
Final Thought
Obedience is not measured by how easy or difficult the command may seem, but by the simplicity of our response. When God speaks, let the answer always be, “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.”
(Credit: Insights drawn from My Utmost for His Highest, “The Dilemma of Obedience” by Oswald Chambers.)