Obedience Training!

I delight to do your will. Psalm 40:8

Ruth Graham once wrote about her German Shepherd who was trained in search and rescue, attack, and obedience. The Grahams had a home in the mountains, and it was comforting to have a dog trained in search and rescue, and attack skills. If the dog senses hostility, Ruth says “it is a wise person who freezes in their tracks” when he is in attack mode. Randy and I had a German Shepherd when we first married, and even though, he was gentle and loving with us, it was a different story when he was our protector. Even though, the dog was their protector, she states that it’s the obedience training which brings real joy. To obey commands to stop, to sit, to lie down, to search, to stay, and to heel are the commands to obedience. A disobedient dog can not only be a liability, but a headache. Obedience is the key.

Randy and I now have the most precious dog which we rescued when he was nine months old. There are many things that make Rocco special, but the best thing for me is that he came to us totally trained – totally obedient. We didn’t have to go through the process of teaching him to “go” outside, to sit, to stay with us, or even not to beg. Someone before us had meticulous done all the obedience training even though they hadn’t loved him enough to keep him.

The differences in the obedience of dogs is comparable to God and His children. Just like Mrs. Grahams, German Shepherd, there are some people who are trained to attack. They are skilled in attacking those with whom they have disagreements or differences of opinion. We all know a few of these.

Then, there are those people who are trained in search and rescue. I would put groups such as Must Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, organized Mission Trips, and Homeless Ministries in this special group. These special organizations are sensitive to the needs of others and are obedient to God’s calling in their lives.

The last group of people are those who have been trained in obedience. These are the people who have taken the true test of obedience by maintaining their love for Him, walking in His power, and staying faithful to His will. These are the people who have overcome the fear of trusting God completely with their lives. They know His plans are infinitely better than any which they might have had.

Along with obedience comes rewards. Our Rocco knows that when he is obedient, he will get a chicken crisp treat or even better, a bone. He knows exactly the time of day that he gets each one, and there is no chance that he will let us forget! Just like a faithful, obedient dog who gets a treat every time they show their obedience, we, as obedient servants, receive rewards as well.

God rewards us with protection. This doesn’t mean that nothing will go wrong and that we won’t experience pain, sorrow, or testing, but it does mean that each one will strengthen us and ultimately come to good.

God also rewards us with gladness and joy. The most joyful people are those who are constantly seeking to keep God’s commandments and please him. Everything is not always perfect, but these people have that inner joy.

God gives us the reward of great peace. Psalm 119:165 tells us that Great peace have those who love the Lord and nothing causes them to stumble. What a precious reward to enjoy great peace in this world of trouble, fear, and war.

Simple obedience which is joyful, eager, and unquestioning more than anything else must give the Lord pleasure. The height of obedience training for the Christian is to be able to say with the Psalmist, “I delight to do Your will, O my God.” This is what gives God the greatest pleasure.

When we walk with the Lord, In the light of His word; What a glory it sheds on our way. While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey; For there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, But to trust and obey.