Courage to Obey

🎧 Listen on the go: Audio Narrative

God calls us to put His Word into practice with love, trust and courage. This message explores obedience to God and the Holy Spirit’s help through Scripture and examples of faithful response.

Courage to Obey

Discover how love for God, trust in His Word and the Holy Spirit’s help can give you courage to obey Him in everyday life.

Introduction

What will we do with what God has taught us? Hearing a message is valuable, but the teaching must also shape the way we live. As we approach the end of the year, let us ask God for the courage to obey what He has shown us.

We are God’s children. We are His, and He is ours. Through Jesus Christ, we belong to Him and live in covenant relationship with Him. A covenant is a binding relationship established through commitment and promise. Our obedience grows within that relationship, as we learn to trust the God who has loved us and called us to Himself.

The familiar hymn Trust and Obey reminds us of this response. Walking with the Lord involves trusting His character and doing what He says. Sometimes the next step is clear but uncomfortable. We may need courage to forgive, speak truthfully, serve someone or follow a direction that stretches us.

Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)

“Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!”

Waiting on the Lord is an active posture of trust. We look to Him for direction and strength, remaining ready to obey. Courage grows as we remember who is leading us.

Our Obedience Belongs to God

James 1:22 (NKJV)

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

James addresses a danger we can easily overlook: hearing God’s Word and assuming that hearing alone is enough. We may recognise a truth, agree with it and even explain it to others, while avoiding its application in our own lives. The Word calls for a response.

Obedience means submitting to God’s authority and bringing our actions, thoughts and attitudes into agreement with His will. If He teaches us to forgive, we begin releasing resentment. If He calls us to integrity, we choose honesty when compromise would be easier. If He directs us to serve, we make ourselves available.

In Deuteronomy, the Hebrew call often expressed as Shema means “hear” or “listen”. In this setting, hearing includes paying attention and responding to what God commands. Listening to Him should lead us to act.

Before Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses reminded the people of the relationship they had with God and the life He called them to live.

Deuteronomy 6:1–5 (NKJV)

“Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

These words were spoken to Israel as they prepared to enter the land God had promised their fathers. The instruction reached beyond one generation: parents, children and grandchildren were to learn God’s ways. Their relationship with Him was to shape daily life.

“Hear” calls for our attention. The declaration that the Lord is one directs us to the one true God, our Creator. Loving Him with all our heart, soul and strength calls for wholehearted devotion. He deserves our attention and allegiance in every part of life.

God is our Creator and Sustainer. His sovereignty means that He has rightful authority over His creation and over our lives. Obedience acknowledges that authority. We honour Him by receiving His Word seriously and allowing it to guide our decisions.

As a church, we have received prophetic encouragement concerning new places God is leading us into in the coming year. Our response must include devotion to Him now. We need to pay attention, listen carefully and have the courage to follow His direction. Confidence about the future should encourage faithfulness in the present.

Exodus 19:5 (NKJV)

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.”

God spoke these words to Israel at Mount Sinai after delivering them from Egypt. His commands were given within a relationship He had established with His people. For us, obedience likewise belongs within our relationship with God through Christ. We do not earn His saving grace by our performance; we respond to His grace with lives devoted to Him.

Our Creator commands our attention and calls for our full obedience. The reverent fear of God is a deep respect for His holiness and authority. We honour Him as a loving Father and trust that His ways are good. Our obedience should flow from that love and trust, rather than being driven only by dread of punishment.

Courage - not fear – to Obey God

When Joshua became Israel’s leader, he faced a responsibility that required courage. Moses had died, and Joshua was to lead the people into the Promised Land. God’s instruction connected courage directly with obedience.

Joshua 1:7 (NKJV)

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”

Joshua needed strength to remain faithful to God’s instruction. The challenges before him could have drawn him towards fear or compromise. God called him to follow His Word carefully, trusting Him as he took up this new responsibility.

Moses’ life also reminds us that obedience matters, even for experienced servants of God. He had demonstrated remarkable faith and courage. Yet at Meribah, he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God had instructed. God said that Moses and Aaron had failed to believe Him and honour His holiness before the people, and they would not lead the assembly into the land (Numbers 20:7–12).

This was a separate event from Israel’s earlier refusal to enter Canaan. That generation was held responsible for its own unbelief and rejection of God’s direction (Numbers 14:22–30). The lesson is that previous experiences of God’s power do not remove our need to trust and obey Him today.

True obedience rests on confidence in God’s character. We believe that His commands are good and that He knows what is best for us. Sometimes following His ways of integrity will cost us. We may lose an advantage, face criticism or need to admit that we were wrong. In those moments, we can ask Him to strengthen us.

Psalm 31:24 (NKJV)

“Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.”

God strengthens the hearts of those who place their hope in Him. Courage does not require us to deny that a situation is difficult. We can acknowledge our weakness and still choose to follow Him, depending on His help.

David showed this confidence when he faced Goliath. His trust rested in the Lord, even when the danger before him was great.

1 Samuel 17:45 (NKJV excerpt)

“But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts…”

David recognised that the Lord’s authority was greater than the threat he faced. We may face different challenges, but we can learn from his confidence. The God we obey is worthy of our trust.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Paul gives us assurance that God works for the good of His people. The following verse connects His purpose with making us more like His Son. This promise does not say that every experience will feel good or that faithful Christians will avoid suffering. It assures us that God’s purposes remain at work even through difficulty.

We obey because God is good, holy and just. He is our loving Father, faithful to His promises. We can trust Him for blessing and provision while leaving their timing and form in His hands. Faithful obedience may involve waiting or sacrifice, but He remains worthy of our confidence.

Obedience is Empowered by the Holy Spirit

Many men and women in Scripture did mighty things because they trusted God and obeyed His direction. As we consider our own response, we must remember that God supplies help. The Holy Spirit teaches, guides and strengthens us as we follow Him.

John 14:26 (NKJV)

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples as He prepared them for His departure. They would receive the Holy Spirit’s help in understanding and remembering His teaching. This also directs our attention to the Spirit’s work in helping us know and follow the truth Jesus has given.

John 16:13 (NKJV)

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

The Holy Spirit leads in harmony with God’s truth. As we seek direction, we should remain attentive to Scripture, prayer and wise counsel. A strong feeling alone does not establish that God has spoken. We can bring what we believe we have received before Him with humility.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV)

“Test all things; hold fast what is good.”

Paul’s instruction helps us respond to spiritual guidance with both openness and discernment. We can receive encouragement while testing it against God’s Word. When His direction is clear, we need courage to act rather than continually postponing our response.

Perhaps God is directing your path, giving you a task or challenging you to grow in an area of your life. Trust Him and ask for the courage to obey. The next step may involve serving, praying for someone, making a difficult decision or speaking an encouraging word.

This also matters for us as a church. God can reveal tasks and opportunities through which we serve His Kingdom. When someone receives a word they believe is from Him, they can share it humbly so it can be weighed. When the Holy Spirit places a burden on someone to pray, we can encourage that person to respond courageously and in a way that builds up the church.

Recently, Bree was leading worship in Innaloo. She shared that she had spoken out in declaration more than she normally would. It was encouraging to see her step beyond what felt familiar. This example reminds us to be willing to follow the Spirit’s leading, with humility and courage.

We need to pay attention to God and remain willing to respond. Courageous obedience can begin with a simple act of faithfulness. As we follow Him, He strengthens us for the work He gives us.

Examples of Biblical Obedience

The biblical examples in this message show how trust becomes action. Their circumstances differed, but each account directs us to the importance of responding faithfully to God.

Abraham

In Genesis 22, Abraham was tested when God instructed him concerning Isaac, the son through whom the promise would continue. Abraham’s willingness to obey revealed profound trust. God stopped him from harming Isaac and provided a ram for the offering. This account draws our attention to Abraham’s faith and to the provision of the God he trusted.

Noah

Noah acted on God’s warning before the flood arrived. He built the ark according to the instruction he received, trusting God’s word about events he had not yet seen.

Genesis 6:22 (NKJV)

“Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.”

Noah’s obedience required sustained action. It reminds us that faithfulness may involve continuing with a task over time, even while the outcome remains beyond our sight.

Jesus

Jesus is our supreme example of obedience. He submitted to the Father’s will, even when that obedience led to the cross. Paul describes His humility in these words.

Philippians 2:8 (NKJV excerpt)

“He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

Through His obedience, Jesus accomplished the saving work we could never accomplish for ourselves. As we follow Him, we learn to surrender our will to God and trust Him even when obedience is costly.

Peter

Luke 5:11 (NKJV)

“So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.”

Peter and his companions responded to Jesus by leaving their boats and following Him. Their lives took a new direction because they answered His call. Their example invites us to consider whether we are holding too tightly to something God is asking us to place in His hands.

Stephen

Acts 7:59–60 (NKJV)

“And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Stephen remained faithful to Jesus while facing violent opposition. He entrusted himself to the Lord and prayed for those attacking him. The words “he fell asleep” describe his death. His courage included forgiveness and confidence in Christ even at the end of his earthly life.

These examples show obedience in trust, patient work, surrender, service and forgiveness. Let us learn from them and depend on the Holy Spirit to help us respond faithfully to God. He can use our obedience to accomplish meaningful work for His Kingdom.

A Gentle Moment of Reflection

As we bring this message together, let us consider what God has been teaching us and how we are responding. Hearing His Word should lead to a life shaped by it. Our obedience belongs to Him, and we can trust Him to strengthen us as we follow.

· What has God already shown me through His Word that I need to put into practice?

· Where is fear holding me back from a step of faithful obedience?

· How can I seek the Holy Spirit’s help and respond with humility, discernment and courage?

Take a moment to bring these questions before the Lord. Ask Him to help you recognise the next faithful step. Pray also for your family, friends, church and wider community, that together we may hear His Word clearly and respond to Him with willing hearts.

2 Chronicles 15:7 (NKJV)

“But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!”

These words encouraged King Asa and the people as they sought the Lord. They remind us to persevere in the work God gives us. We can finish this season with faithfulness and look towards what lies ahead with confidence in Him.

Let us pay attention to His Word, trust His character and have the courage to obey. Our loving Father is faithful, and the Holy Spirit is our Helper. As we walk with the Lord, may the truth we have heard become visible in the lives we live.

Ps Salome

Living Faith Community Church

Ps Salome is a leader dedicated to sharing the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ. Her heart is to help you move from a place of uncertainty into a confident, biblical expectation that is rooted in God's deep love for you.

"God invites us to live with hope—not because life is easy, but because He is faithful."