Learning to Obey God Joyfully

In review of Psalm 100:2 it reminds me to  “Obey him [God] gladly; come before him, singing with joy.” (TLB)

This verse is an invitation to enter joyfully into God's presence.

When I think about obedience, “joy” isn’t a word that immediately comes to mind. However this verse tells me to obey God joyfully. And as it turns out, there are lots of great reasons for being joyful as I obey Him.

First, look at what the Bible says about joyful obedience.

. Psalm 100:2 says, “Obey [God] gladly” (TLB).

. Another psalm says, “I enjoy obeying your demands” (Psalm 119:16 NCV).

. And later in that same psalm, I read: “I find pleasure in obeying your commands” (Psalm 119:47 GNT).

Over and over again the writers of these psalms instruct me to obey God gladly, and then saying that they actually enjoy obeying God’s commands. So how is obeying God enjoyable? Here are three reasons:

1. When I obey God, I’ll have fewer problems. God made me and gave me the Bible, his instruction manual for life. If I follow his instruction manual, I’ll have fewer problems. It’s like putting together a bicycle, if I follow the instructions, the whole process will go more easily. If I follow life’s instruction manual, I’ll have fewer problems and find life more enjoyable.

2. I’ll eventually be rewarded in heaven and see God’s promises fulfilled. “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12 NLT).

3. When I love God, I’ll naturally want to obey him. The Bible says, “Loving God means doing what he tells us to do”(1 John 5:3 TLB). It’s like a marriage relationship. The longer two people are married, the more they know what offends the other. And they start choosing not to do those things so they won’t annoy the one they love. When I walk with the Lord through many years, I realize all he has done for me and how good he has been to me. So I want to offend him less. I enjoy keeping his commands. I do it because I love him.

God measures my love, not by what I say. But by my obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15 NIV). That’s how I prove my love.

So I will continue obeying God today. As I grow in my love for God, I’ll enjoy obeying his commands more and more.

In summary, Obey God gladly and come before him with joy. God invites me to enter joyfully into his presence. There are great reasons for being joyful as I obey him. By obeying God; I'll have fewer problems, I'll eventually be rewarded in heaven, and when I love God, I'll naturally want to obey him. When I realize all he has done for me and how good he has been to me, I'll want to offend him less. God will measure my love, not by what I say, but by my obedience. This is how I prove my love. 

Obedience and joyfulness are not things that I usually put together. However God wants me to enter into his presence with joy, and I show my love for him by being obedient. When I am, blessings and a different perspective are the things I can enjoy.

Father, thank you for reminding me of what a joyful and obedient relationship will bring me. I ask that you remind me of this throughout my day so that it can help guide my actions. I also ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my leadership and my interaction with others. I pray these things in your Son Jesus' name, Amen.