Obedience is lonely. That sounds like a complaint, but it is actually just an observation. The heroes of our faith often obeyed God when few others would.
Take Noah for example. I know that is an easy one, but Noah obeyed every commandment of the Lord when no one else obeyed at all. Yet God used Noah’s lonely obedience to preserve a people and change the world.
And then there is Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers. As a foreigner in Egypt, surrounded by unbelievers, Joseph obeyed God all by himself and at great personal cost. Yet through Joseph’s long and lonely obedience, God rescued His people.
Who can forget the prophet Elijah? Opposed by 400 prophets of Baal and a wicked king, Elijah stood alone and obeyed God. Although no one else honored God, Elijah did. And he won a great victory for his people and for the glory of God.
And one of my favorites is John the Baptist. When no other religious leader was calling for men to repent, John was. When no one else recognized the Messiah, John did. When no one else would speak the truth to Herod, John did. His lonely obedience cost him his life, but it also won him the respect of Jesus Himself.
When William Carey, known as the father of the modern missionary movement, felt called by God to take the Gospel to India, few others encouraged him. Even his wife was reluctant to go. There were no parades for him on his way out of town, but his long and lonely obedience ultimately changed a nation.
In God’s providence, we may have a few people beside us, but it seems that when we obey God, we should be prepared to obey Him all by ourselves. While long and lonely obedience demands a new toughness from us, it is also our tutor.
Obedience marks our lives with honor.
God’s requirements are His invitation to join His eternal plan to glorify Himself. Noah did not just obey God. He was favored by God, and that divine favor allowed him to point the way to the One who would rescue all of us. Whatever God has given us to do is what He created us to do. And in our long obedience we say “yes” to the privilege of fulfilling the only purpose that matters.
Obedience reveals our need and God’s provision.
Short obedience may tempt us toward self-righteousness. Anyone can obey God for a season in their own strength and competency. Long and lonely obedience, however, smothers pride and proves that God is able. It is God’s grace that allows us to obey over our head and over time.
Obedience builds our faith.
We only trust God until we stop trusting God. Although lonely obedience feels lonely, it actually ushers us into a sacred place where the triune Godhead of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is waiting. It is a place where God reveals Himself and His ways. And in His presence we discover that we can trust Him.
Obedience produces results.
We cannot measure everything that God does, but sometimes sooner and sometimes later, God takes our lonely obedience and changes lives. It was true for Noah, Joseph, Elijah, and every single faithful soul who ever obeyed God, and it is still true for us. And it is true because every act of obedience to God reveals the transforming work of His Son Jesus.
So the next time God asks you to do something, do not look for others first. Look for Him. He will be there every step of the way.