Turning “Led” into Gold – Part 8

The power and blessing of obedience to the Lord cannot be overrated.

Isaiah 1:19 – If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.

In our focus on Turning “Led” into Gold, let’s take a brief look into Mark 10 at the story of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus.  You can read it in Mark 10:17-31.  While Jesus’ declaration concerning the 100-fold return in near the end of the full story, I urge you to take a few moments and read Mark’s account of the full event.  While the 100-fold return is where so many people focus their attention, understanding and revelation is greatly deepened by studying the full account.

Let’s examine as closely as we can in our limited space and time the issue of obedience to the leading of God in our lives.  This rich young ruler came with questions, but that is not our focus.  Jesus gave him the answers he sought, but neither is that the critical point of our focus.  The rich young ruler when away sad, for he had great possessions, but once again, that is not the point of our focus.  The critical point of our focus is obedience to God’s leading, and the results that such obedience produces.

One point of this intrigues me.  Look at the question the disciples asked of Jesus in verse 26; “Who then can be saved?”  Why would they have asked such a question if, as so many suppose and have taught, both they and Jesus were so poor?  My point is, and it is clearly born out in the closing verses of Mark 10, they stated plainly that they had obeyed the Lord in His call and demand on their lives, and they fully believed such obedience had rewards that went beyond what would come in the hereafter.

And the final response of Jesus in verses 29 and 30 make very clear that their expectations would not be denied, but would rather exceed what they had thought or imagined.  Jesus spoke openly and boldly of a specified return on their investment.  He had told the rich young ruler to do more than give.  Jesus told him to “sell” all he had, “give” to the poor, and then “follow” (accompany) Him.  Jesus had set a particular amount, designated a specific recipient, and ordered a distinctive follow-up.  When obedience to such instructions is in full compliance, Jesus promised a 100-fold return to that obedient follower.  The rich young ruler could have received no more clear or direct leading from the Lord than what Jesus commanded.  Our understanding of the blessing of obedience to God can be anchored in this passage.  Obedience of the Lord has an extremely high return-on-investment (ROI).  God has established it in His Word.  It cannot be changed.   It is His will.  Will you comply?

Manna for Today – Isaiah 1; 3 John 2; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 15:13-18; Isaiah 48:21-22; Romans 8:14; Isaiah 55:11-13; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:8; 1 Peter 1:7