Job describes the rewards of obedience: ‘If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity.’ (Job 36:11 NKJV)

John adds, ‘Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.’ (1 John 3:22 NKJV)

But Paul describes the cost of obedience: ‘We think you ought to know… about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us.’ (2 Corinthians 1:8–10 NLT) Notice Paul says, ‘He did rescue us… He will rescue us again… He will continue to rescue us.’ God didn’t lift Paul out of his trouble; He walked with him in it and brought him through it. If you have asked God to help you understand a situation and He hasn’t, understand that God doesn’t owe us an explanation, but He promises us an exit strategy.

‘No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.’ (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) So, the word for today is: obey God, regardless.