Obedience by Olive E. McCord

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 12, 1875

Obedience.

By Olive E. McCord

THERE is nothing more lovely in the character of a child than implicit obedience. Obedience lends a charm to all other graces, and though the features of the child may possess little that is attractive to the casual observer, yet to those who may witness the ready, cheerful obedience rendered to superiors, there is a grace in every motion.

We are told of the Lord Jesus that after he had astonished the learned doctors in the temple at Jerusalem by his wise questions and answers, he returned home with his parents, and was subject to them. Jesus, the Son of God, given as our great example, did not think it beneath his dignity to submit to authority; but how many children in these days seem to look upon the least restraint as an uncalled-for severity. They are often loth to perform the duties assigned them, however slight. Children do not realize that men and women are governed by rules of right and propriety, so that to learn strict obedience in youth is to form a firm basis for the trying period of more mature years. They who in their youth cultivate a cheerful, obedient spirit are far more likely to become good citizens and noble Christians than those who pursue a directly opposite course and complain at every restraint, thus sowing for themselves and others the seeds of shame and sorrow.

“Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee,” is the command written amid the thunders of Sinai by the finger of God. And by following this command, how much pleasure children have it in their power to give. It is not to be expected that children can know as much as those who have experienced care and contended with the ever-varying vicissitudes of this life; yet it has become no very unusual occurrence to see those who, by their language and deportment, seem to think themselves far superior in experience and wisdom to their gray-haired grandparents and other elderly friends.

“He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Prov. 29:1. Some children seem to think that their saucy replies, when addressed, are an evidence of their own sharp wit, whereas observers are often grieved and disgusted at their impertinence. A traveler once sought entertainment at a humble house along the way, in which he found quite a large family of children. When night came on, all gathered around the cheerful fire. The stranger, being a lover of children, noted their different dispositions and conduct; all were more or less noisy and inclined to impertinent disobedience, except one, a little daughter, who, being so plain and quiet, had not attracted the attention of the guest. But as the evening wore on, and the other children grew more turbulent and rebellious against parental restraint, this little girl, who at first seemed to possess no charms, became conspicuous by her gentle obedience to her parents, and her ceaseless endeavors to soothe and quiet the murmurings of her brothers and sisters. The stranger wondered, as he witnessed the scene around him, how he could have thought her face plain and unattractive; for by her behavior it had become clothed with grace and beauty.

Obedience is the key to favor with God; and what an infinite pleasure remains to the child who chooses the path of wise submission to superior judgment! It is a crown of glory to both children and parents. And when the period of manhood and womanhood is reached, youthful obedience will be found a safe foundation whereon to establish noble aims and honorable purposes, which, when accomplished, may bless the world.

And now let us examine the testimony of the Scriptures concerning the results of disobedience, and the rewards ever attending a humble submission to a righteous command; for, though obedience is a virtue so highly commendable in youth, it is not a virtue restricted to that period of life. When we read

the first chapters of Genesis, we are confronted with the direful results of disobedience; and as we continue our search down to the moment when God fulfils his threatened punishment against that sinful age, one instance of obedience stands forth brightly amid the reckless wilfulness that led men to disregard God's solemn warnings. Noah, though no doubt ridiculed by the generation in which he lived, heeded God's command, thus preserving himself and family from the flood which engulfed a disobedient world. Noah was righteous before God, that is, he obeyed him. And he was preserved in sacred history a monument of trusting obedience.

Paul, when relating his conversion and Christian experience before King Agrippa, says, “Whereupon, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.”

Now, we will suppose for a moment that Noah and Paul acted concerning the especial commands given them in the manner so habitual to some in these days. Suppose that Noah, when warned by God to build the ark, had replied, “To do this will require a great amount of severe labor, and after I have toiled to complete it, the flood may not occur, and then I shall not need it.” Had he thus answered, he would have perished with the ungodly world. But instead of such rebellious inattention to the Lord's merciful commands, we find it recorded of him, “Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.”

Paul had gone to Damascus, “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord;” yet at God's command he instantly became indifferent to the opinions of men. “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” And all who desire to obtain that which is worth the possessing in this life, or the life to come, must walk humbly in faithful obedience to our Father's commands, and the everlasting inheritance, life and immortality through Jesus Christ our Lord, will be the sure reward.

Olive E. McCord.

Oregon City, Oregon.