As women in the 21st century, we have so many rights. Every time I open Scripture and read through stories in both the Old and New Testaments, I marvel at the limited amount of freedom and rights of the women in the stories. The widows, for example, were women who lost not only their husbands, but also the sole breadwinners of the family. How did they get by in that society?  What about the customs of arranged marriages, or, to take things further, polygamy? I can’t imagine not having a say in things, or having to ‘share’ my husband with another woman! 

Yet something that really surprises me is their obedience. 

The obedience of women like: 

Sarah, who followed Abraham and left everything she ever knew in Haran, and obeyed him even in his half-truth, twice, perhaps at the risk of her life. (Genesis 20:2) 

Noah’s wife and his son’s wives; when the whole world was against them, they believed, obeyed, and entered the ark; and were thus saved. (Genesis 7:7) 

Esther, as she obeyed Mordecai and saved the Israelite nation. (Esther 2:19) 

Mary, as she humbly accepted God’s will for her life and gave birth to Jesus. (Luke 1:38) 

And the list goes on… for many, many righteous women (and men!) of Scripture lived in obedience to the Lord. 

So, what does obedience mean for us today? 

Jesus was very clear when he taught,  “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” John 14:23

Therefore, if we want our ministries to grow, our influence to be effective, and our love to be seen, we must obey. 

Because it looks like that’s the best way to show God we love Him.

Simply obey.  

(Hmm, now to apply that simple phrase to our complicated lives!)