Dog Demonstration

“I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
…so our eyes look to the LORD our God.”  Psalm 123:1, 2b

Dogs are most appreciated for their unconditional love. All people have a longing for absolute, unequivocal love. We were created with that innate desire and the Lord our God is who will satisfy that need.

I have two small dogs who will sit on command for their food and patiently wait until released before taking a bite. As they attentively wait for me to say the word, they have their eyes fixed on mine and their ears listening to every sound. The dogs exercise tremendous self-restraint, while waiting and their focus is so intent. They don’t want to miss a thing I say.

As I talk to them, one will sometimes drool as he waits and the other often tilts his head while listening. If I happen to say a word that begins with the first letter of their name you may see their behind begin to rise off the floor and slowly go back down as they realize the error and they continue to wait. Shortly after teaching the pair this behavior of servility, I began to think how their actions are a good example of what my response to God should look like. Obedient dogs are a genuine pleasure to their master. Likewise, my obedience pleases the Master.

My obedience pleases the Master.

Manette Kay

When my heart attitude is bowed before God I will intently focus on His directives. I will exercise the fruit of the Spirit. I will use self-control to defer my desires for attentiveness to God’s plan. Jesus role modeled this for all humanity by going to the cross.  Philippians 2:8b (NIV) “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross!”

Dive Deeper
Consider other recorded scriptures about obedience, such as Abraham (Hebrews 11:8 and 11:17-19) and ponder God’s words in Jeremiah 7:23 “I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.”

In what way do you wrestle with obedience? What steps do you need to take to trust the One who offers unconditional love?

Prayer
Father God, thank You for the amazing creatures You have given us. It is good to observe Your world and learn from all You have provided. Make my eyes stay fixed on You and my ears tuned to Your every word. Put a desire in me to follow You as Master. The same way dogs want to be near and follow their master. Give me the self-discipline to be a pleasure in my obedience. I want the determination to closely follow Your footsteps, ever trusting You, never leaving Your side, and abiding in Your presence with the fullness of joy. In the matchless name of Jesus.