July 24 - Doing the Father's Will

Today's Reading:
Ezekiel 44:1-45:12
Matthew 21:23-46
Proverbs 18:7-16 
Click on Text Link to Read Online

Focus Verses:
Matthew 21:28-31
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.
He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.

Insight:
Some people ignore God's direction and turn away from him, but late come to their senses and do what God commands. Others affirm God's direction and say they will do what he commands, but never follow through.

What matters most is not a person's initial response to God's call, but rather the actual doing of what God commands. Resistance followed by responsiveness is much better than acceptance followed by apathy and inaction.

Response and Action:
It's not enough to have the right attitude and response to God's command, I need to take action and follow through. It's not enough to accept God's instruction, I must obey, be, and do what he instructs me to do. It does no good to call Jesus "Lord" if I do not do the things he commands.

O God, show me your ways and give me a heart to walk in them. Help me to receive your commands with a willing heart and make me quick to obey. Lead, teach, transform, and shape me that I might delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your name.

Spiritual Formation Verses: Matthew 7:21
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Resources:
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction
by Eugene Peterson