Pastoral Messages by Matriarch Elnette Edwards
My precious family,
Obedience is the bridge between hearing God's voice and experiencing His blessing. We can know God's will, understand His commands, and recognize His leading—but if we don't obey, we miss out on what He has for us. Obedience isn't always easy, but it's always right, and it's always rewarded.
I've learned that delayed obedience is really disobedience. When God speaks, He expects prompt action. When He tells us to forgive, we forgive now—not when we feel like it. When He calls us to serve, we serve now—not when it's convenient. When He directs us to give, speak, or move, we respond immediately. Delayed obedience gives fear and doubt time to talk us out of what God has clearly instructed.
There was a time when God clearly told me to reach out to someone who had hurt me deeply. Everything in me resisted. I had every excuse: they didn't deserve it, they hadn't apologized, it was their turn to make things right. But God kept pressing the issue. Finally, I obeyed—reluctantly, uncomfortably, but obediently. That act of obedience not only restored the relationship but also freed something in my own heart that unforgiveness had bound.
Obedience often doesn't make sense in the moment. God told Abraham to leave everything familiar without telling him the destination. He told Moses to confront Pharaoh despite his speech impediment. He told Joshua to march around Jericho instead of using conventional military strategy. He told Peter to cast his net on the other side after a fruitless night of fishing. None of it made logical sense, but all of it required trust.
That's what obedience really is—trust in action. It's believing that God knows better than we do, that His ways are higher than ours, and that following His instructions will lead to blessing even when we can't see how. Obedience says, "I don't understand, but I trust You." It says, "This seems impossible, but if You said it, I'll do it." It says, "I'm afraid, but I'll obey anyway."
Partial obedience is also disobedience. King Saul learned this painful lesson when God told him to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions. Saul obeyed mostly—but he kept the best livestock. When confronted, he made excuses about sacrificing to God. But Samuel's response was clear: "To obey is better than sacrifice." God doesn't want our religious activities if we're not willing to fully obey His instructions.
Obedience also protects us. God's commands aren't arbitrary restrictions—they're loving boundaries that keep us safe and position us for blessing. When we obey His instructions about relationships, finances, integrity, and conduct, we avoid consequences that disobedience would bring.
I've never regretted obedience, but I've deeply regretted disobedience. Every time I've followed God's leading—even when it was hard, costly, or didn't make sense—I've eventually seen His wisdom and experienced His blessing. Every time I've rationalized disobedience, I've experienced consequences and missed opportunities.
What is God asking you to do that you've been avoiding? What clear instruction have you rationalized away? What step of obedience have you delayed? Today, I encourage you—obey. Don't wait for perfect understanding or comfortable circumstances. Trust Him and obey. The blessing is on the other side of your obedience.
Obediently following,
Matriarch Elnette Edwards
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