It Is Profitable to Obey God.
By D. T. Bourdeau
It is unwise to wait until we get out of financial difficulties before obeying God. If we are in a hard spot, it is then that we need divine aid; and how can we get it? We know of no other way than in obeying God. Then we can ask expecting to receive. “Whatsoever we ask,” says the beloved apostle, “we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” 1 John 3: 22. Here is included a rich promise. God will grant us whatsoever we ask of him, if we obey and please him. No good thing will be withheld from those who walk uprightly. Is it not therefore profitable to do what God commands us, and to give ourselves unreservedly unto him? He who cares for the sparrow, clothes the lilies, and numbers the hairs of our heads, will not leave nor forsake us, if we do what we can for ourselves, while seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. While the wicked shall suffer hunger, and those very things come upon them for disobeying God, which they feared would come upon them for obeying him. God’s people will have their bread and water secured unto them, if they have to be fed miraculously as were the Israelites in the wilderness, and as was faithful Elijah, when pressed by wicked men and Satan. They will then have to live by faith. But can they expect to have faith then, unless their faith is previously tried and brought into exercise? No more than we can expect to have physical strength without physical exercise. Thus we see that to obey God is profitable both for the present life, and for the life that is to come. When men get cramped in business, and are called upon to give their notes as security, they like to get a good backer. I would give more for a signature of the God of Heaven, whose heart is ever touched at the real wants of his children, and who has an exhaustless fund at his command with which to bless his creatures, than for all the aid of frail, finite man while disobeying God. But the great motive that should lead us to obey God, is that by so doing we glorify him, and stand for the right, which is the noblest, as well as the most profitable business, that poor, fallen, dependent man can engage in. D. T. BOURDEAU.