The Only Rebels
Isaiah 1:1-3
"The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider."
There is no rebellion against God in the natural world. Though the impact of sin has marred the original design of creation, everything God made listens to His voice—except for man. When the disciples woke Jesus in terror as the boat they were in was about to sink, He told the winds and waves to cease, and they immediately did. The disciples were astonished at this display of power. “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41).
In contrast to the obedience of the animals and even the weather, mankind continues to live in rebellion against the commandments of God. Despite the grace and goodness that He bestows upon us day after day, we find it easy to go our own way. And while this is true of the lost world, it is all too often true of believers as well. When what God commands us to do seems too hard or to require too great a sacrifice, we simply refuse Him.
There is no context in which saying “No” to what God calls us to do is acceptable. The only possible correct answer to a command from God is “Yes.” He has every right to command us in any way He sees fit. God, as both our Creator and our Redeemer, is doubly justified in issuing instructions rather than requests. When we consider His infinite knowledge and wisdom, it is utterly foolish not to do exactly as He says.
Growth Principle:
Even a work animal responds with loyalty to its master. How much more should we give our loving obedience to our Creator and our Redeemer?