THE LATENT POWER OF OBEDIENCE

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all that He himself is doing. And greater works than these will He show Him, so that you may marvel. (John 5:19-20 ESV)

Can you imagine the restraint Jesus must have had while here on earth? We read of the miracles He performed, but how many more did He walk away from out of His obedience to the Father? How many times did He want to stretch out His hand to raise the dead or demonstrate His power, and yet held back? In Mark 1:36-38, the disciples told Jesus everyone was looking for Him, but instead of staying and ministering to their needs, Jesus left in order to follow His Father’s call to another city.
Jesus was focused, not on demonstrating His power, but on listening to His Father. There is a hidden power in obedience. Jesus restrained Himself at times because He knew that His power would only be perfected through obedience.

Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9)

Consider the results Jesus had in His obedience to the Father. It was in the latter part of His earthly ministry that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43). Though He performed many miracles, it wasn’t until several years into His ministry that He called His friend back to life in a dramatic fashion that stunned even His followers.
Jesus was tested as a man. He was tested in the wilderness by Satan and He won. His own Father disciplined Jesus for a higher purpose in bringing eternal salvation to all who believed in Him.  Hebrews states Jesus had to learn obedience and it wasn’t easy. He had to learn how to obey His Father just like we do.
Could it be that raising Lazarus from the dead came as a result of the obedience Jesus walked in? Could it be that Jesus demonstrated for us an obedience that opens doors to the miraculous? If we would walk in the same level of absolute surrender as Christ did, could we also expect to raise people from the dead!?

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. (John 14:12)

What untold miracles and breakthroughs are possible for us who choose to walk in absolute obedience to the Father? What possibilities might there be in the simple act of following through on what God tells us to do?
What was the last thing God told you to do? Have you done it? What truths has He told you that you have yet to act upon? Whatever He has told you to say or to do, be assured He will help you accomplish them. Start with the willingness and ask Him to help you follow through.
Heavenly Father, I desire to live in daily communion with You. I desire to hear Your voice clearly and recognize what You are doing. I commit myself to walking in obedience to Your Word and ask that You would work in me to “…will and work for Your good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). I thank You for the authority You give me as I walk in obedience to You. Show me today what You are doing and saying. I pray that I might be a vessel through which signs, wonders, and miracles can take place for Your glory and Your fame. In Jesus’ name, amen.  
*This devotional exhortation is taken from my book, ORACLES OF GRACE: Building a Legacy of Wisdom and Revelation, available on Amazon HERE. This book reads like a daily devotional for those wanting to pursue deeper things of the Spirit and greater impact in prayer. Also available on Kindle, be sure to get a copy and share one with a friend!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Picture of Wanda Alger

Wanda Alger

Wanda has been in ministry for over 35 years as a worship leader, teacher, author, deliverance counselor, and speaker.

Comments

4 Responses

  1. Remember how disobedience I was when the Lord told me to do something. And lost the blessing becz of it.
    Thank you for your teaching on obedience. Enlightened my spirit to be better.
    P.S. Could I get this book elsewhere beside amazon? Thank you

    1. Evelyn – there are probably other outlets that sell it now – I noticed Barnes and Noble, as well as Books a Million offer it online. Just do a book search and those options will come up:-). Blessings!

  2. My church is doing a 28 day prayer focus on the book of Acts. I’m amazed over and over about our feelings of change that are needed. Yet the dichotomy of church and state that had Paul declare, “I’m a Roman citizen. What you are doing is not legal, ” makes us reflect on our current state and national government.
    Thank you for your Spirit directed word to us that informs and enlightens.
    Karen Secrest, M.A., M.M.

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