Hurry to Obey God’s Commands

In review of Psalm 119:60 It reminds me, “Without delay, I hurry to obey your commands” (GNT).

God's word is true and wonderful. Stay true to God and his word no matter how bad the world becomes. Obedience to God's laws is the only way to achieve real happiness. Therefore, with a sense of urgency, I am to quickly move to obey what he commands me. Contrary to what the world would expect, obeying God's laws does not inhibit or restrain me. Instead, it frees me to be what God designed me to be. By seeking God's salvation and forgiveness, I have freedom from sin and the resulting oppressive guilt. By living God's way, I have the freedom to fulfill God's plan for my life.

Yesterday I reviewed what it means to “walk in God’s Spirit.” Sometimes God’s Spirit tells me to move slowly. Other times I should move quickly. Here are two instances when I should be moving quickly.

First, I need to move quickly when God tells me to do something. The Bible (His Word) is filled with instructions for life. The Bible calls them commands, and God wants me to obey them. In parenting, often we give give children instructions. If the child replies, “I’ll think about it,” the child is disobeying. The same is true for God and for me. When God tells me to do something, he expects me to obey quickly. For example, In Mark 1:17-18, Jesus says to two fishermen, “Come, follow me” (NIV). He was asking them to walk away from their careers. It was a big deal. Their response? “At once they left their nets and followed him.” When it comes to obedience, hurry is a good thing.

A second time to move quickly is when I need to ask for or offer forgiveness. Holding on to guilt or resentment is like drinking poison. It can eat me alive. Jesus says it like this in Matthew 5:23-24: “If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God” (The Message). Not even my worship of God is reason enough to delay forgiving or asking for forgiveness. If something isn’t right between me and another, don’t delay the time to make it right is now.

In summary, without any delay, I need to hurry to obey what God tells or commands me. Obeying doesn't inhibit or restrain me, rather it frees me to be what God designed me to be. There are two instances when I should move quickly. One is when God tells me to do something. He expects me to obey quickly. The other is when I need to ask for or offer forgiveness. If something isn't right between me and another, now is the time to make it right. 

Today, I will consider what things he has commanded me to do that I’m not doing. I need to move quickly to do them. Also, I will think through if there is anyone I need to forgive or whose forgiveness I need to seek.

I pray this morning Father for clarity for my day. Help me to be who you created me to be. To live with integrity and to make a difference in the lives of others. I ask for your wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.