Obedience

When I was reading Matthew chapter 3, the verse that spoke to me the most was v8 – “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”. Living a life of repentance doesn’t just mean we have to keep saying ‘sorry’ to God, to our leaders, or even to the people around us. As a matter of fact, living a life of repentance simply means to live a life of obedience.

To be really honest, this week has been a very ‘shiong’ week for me. Just in this week alone, I have 1 assignment, 2 lab reports, 1 project demonstration, 1 term test, 1 project report, 1 project presentation, and a 2000-words essay due. This has by far been the most hectic and stressful week I’ve experienced in NUS.

Today was the day of my term test that was at 4pm. As logical people/students, you would definitely take whatever free time you have to revise. But as I was having my breakfast this morning, I really sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to realign myself back to Him and not to rely on my own human strength. I was initially very reluctant to do that because the only thing that was on my mind was the upcoming test that was in a few hours time. But I decided to do so.

Back in my room, I spent time praying and worshipping God. And I worshiped God with the song, ‘Greater’. As I was singing the song, I was greatly reminded that we ought to put God as the centre of our lives. Not just in easy times but also in trying moments. Though I was secretly hoping that God would leak the answer sheet somehow (but it doesn’t work that way yea?), I knew that my act of obedience would be pleasing to Him; and that’s all that matters. I may not get superb or fantastic results, but what I got would be God’s favor. That’s more fulfilling than any other.

Bible says in Psalm 51:16 - “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings”. When people in the past sin against God, they have to offer sacrifices to atone for their sins. So what this verse means is: God would rather us to obey than to sin then repent. God’s heartbeat is for us to obey Him more than giving Him burnt offerings.