[E]ars open to obedience you gave me. // Psalm 40:6

It was undeniable. All the evidence was spread before me. My failure to obey God’s direction led to a failure in my life. The still, small voice I had silenced by my selfishness could no longer be ignored. 

The Lord was right. He wanted my good. I thought I knew better. And I was wrong.

Now, instead of walking in the clear freedom of obedience, I was stumbling, attempting to pick up the pieces shattered by my self-will. 

I wish I could tell you that this singular occurrence settled so deeply in my soul that all my days henceforth were lived in perfect obedience. But it had happened before and it has happened since. I make excuses for my wants, I justify my fear, and I listen to worldly counselors over my heavenly Counselor. 

Every time I choose to ignore the direction of the Holy Spirit, I regret it. It doesn’t always end in obvious failure, but the discontent in my soul is a bad fruit of the knowledge that I chose against God’s desire for me. 

I want the song of my life to harmonize with the words of the Psalm Response for today: “Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.” This will require a lifelong refining. But upon each failure, the Lord meets me with mercy and reminds me that He gave me ears open to obedience. He has given me everything I need to follow Him. He does not withhold from me; it is my heart that must choose to conform my will to His.

So let us pray for more obedient hearts! Let us invite the Holy Spirit into our lives each morning, knowing that humble, quiet obedience pleases Him more than our most extravagant offerings. 

Here we are, Lord; we come to do Your will!