Exodus 17:8 Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
Joshua 11:15 Just as the LORD had commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the LORD had commanded Moses.
Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
“So Joshua did as Moses told him.” So Joshua did. He left nothing undone” “Observe all that I have commanded you.” “Do whatever he tells you.”
Noah did as the Lord commanded, Abraham did as the Lord commanded. Samuel, Elisha, Elijah, Esther, Ruth, Daniel, Isaiah, Nehemiah, 12 Disciples, Paul, Barnabas, Timothy….. and the list can go on and on of those we read about who did as the Lord commanded.
Why does this seem natural to some? Is it possible that these people believed (relied on, trusted in, and clung to) God? Could it be that they made with an intentional heart, mind, and soul choice which was fueled by a desire to seek and honor God?
There is something different about people who intentionally choose each day to deny self and humbly, seek, and desire, God. they want to grow in understanding and knowledge of Him. They want to honor Him through what they think and say. They want to worship and praise Him. They want to follow and obey Him. They want to hear His whispers of guidance and correction into their daily life.
We grow in obedience, understanding, reliance, hope, strength, and power when scripture is more than a book for times of trouble. When there are intentional commitment and humble purposeful desire for scripture, it becomes the like the air we breathe, the food we eat, and water we drink because without it death comes quickly. Without it, there is no understanding of God’s love and wrath. There is no understanding of God’s power and might. There is no understanding of His precious promises. There is no basis to build faith and hope. There is no place of refuge. There is no divine peace in our soul. There is no way for us to “Do as He commands”.
How are you to be able to “Do whatever He tells you” if you are not seeking to hear Him speak? Make a choice today to read His word and desire for Him speak to your heart, mind, and soul. Do whatever He tells you.