When God speaks, are we willing to listen, and are we willing to obey?
Living a life in surrender to God comes with a cost.
If God direct us, are we willing to follow?
I have shared this short testimony before, but I believe not in written words.
After rededicating my life to Jesus in 2020 at (age 20), I spent five years single and in the wilderness period.
It wasn’t until last year in March (2025) that a guy I previously knew reached out to me and wanted to be in a relationship with me.
I admit that at the time I did like the person.
He shared about his discovery of faith, his recommitment to God, and him seeing me as his wife.
I remember at the time praying about this relationship and enquiring if it was God’s will.
I remember receiving a dream that clearly indicated this person was not the right man for my call or purpose in life.
Sometimes when God answers our prayer and when He speaks,
It may be a difficult pill to swallow.
At the time, I did have feelings for this person, but ultimately, I had to make a choice.
Whether I was going to remain walking in the obedience of God, or if I was going to go my own way?
If I were going to follow my own heart or trust God’s plan for my life.
In the end, I decided to end the relationship that month, and I came to realise, after that, the fruit of obeying God.
We do not immediately see the blessings that come with our obedience.
God may have told you about a specific relationship in your life which you need to let go of.
They may flatter you with promises.
But you must take heed.
The other path may seem more appealing, but in time, you will live in regret.
If I had gone against God’s voice, I ponder where my life would be today.
The decisions we make in life can change the course of our destiny.
In life, it can seem that we are at a crossroads; God has given us free will.
He can warn us like He did Adam, but ultimately we have to make our own decision.
I have been watching House of David on Amazon Prime recently, and I have been watching the ruin of King Saul.
Again, the message speaks of obedience and the aspect of when God direct us, will we follow?
Like Saul, pride can lead to our own downfall.
As it says in Proverbs 16:18 – Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride can lead us to think we know best and can affect our ability to listen.
Pride can result in disobedience.
King Saul disobeyed God, spared the Amalekites, and kept their possessions. He also took on the role of a priest and had an unauthorised sacrifice against God’s will.
This mistake cost him his future.
This decision against God led to his failure.
1 Samuel 15:22:
“So Samuel said:” Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of the rams”.
Ultimately, this led to Saul’s rejection as King.
Samuel had to anoint a new king, as God’s spirit departed from Saul.
15:10-11 The Lord speaks through Samuel, saying that Saul turned His back on Him and did not perform His commandments.
Verse 23 goes on to say, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is an iniquity and idolatry”.
King Saul turned his back on God even after everything God had done for him. He was king of all Israel. He had everything, yet he changed his allegiance.
Will you remain steadfast or turn your back?
King Saul became independent rather than dependent.
Being stubborn may be viewed lightly or shrugged off today, but here it is classed as iniquity and idolatry.
Are we willing to yield?
We may be at the top in life and believe we know what’s best, but God is looking for devotion.
God desires a heart that listens and follows, a genuine submission.
God does not want someone halfhearted.
A true disciple.
Someone who can deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24).
Like King David, He wants men and women after His own heart.
Not after their own desires or ambitions.
Someone willing to follow even when it doesn’t make sense.
2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith and not by sight”.
During the teenage years, many people experience periods of rebellion.
2 Timothy 3:2 mentions the last days and disobedience to parents which we see all too often in the world today.
I remember I was stick-necked growing up, and my late mother had a dream of me as a little giraffe.
This showed me that I was unwilling to submit to authority and change my ways.
We can be like that today. God may have shown us something, but we are resentful.
We are reluctant to submit to God’s will.
We do not want to change.
We are incapable of listening.
The Lord described Israel to Moses in Exodus 32:9 as a stiff-necked people.
May we not be that generation today.
Are you attentive to His voice or hard headed?
Deuteronomy 10:16 says “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart and be stiff-necked no longer”.
This highlights that stubbornness is a heart matter.
Allow God to heal your heart today.
Following God encourages us to relinquish self -reliance.
Today, are we willing to completely submit to God?
More recently, I have felt the unction in my spirit to speak on matters that are not right.
Even if it’s uncomfortable, we have to speak the truth in love.
People pleasing can get the better of us, but God does not want someone who pleases man but pleases Him.
Acts 5:29 Peter and apostles declare: “We must obey God rather than human beings”.
Someone who will be that voice on His behalf.
Prophet Samuel had to obey God’s voice; despite liking Saul, there was no room for compromise.
Sometimes what God has called us to do may be disliked by others.
We may upset people.
No one may give you a pat on the back.
People may reject us.
You may be persecuted.
Prophet Jeremiah faced constant ridicule, betrayal and imprisonment. His message of judgement and call to repent was deeply despised.
Prophet Ezekiel had the watchman’s burden; he was told to preach whether people listened or not. It required him to say unpopular messages despite rejection.
Are you willing to be unpopular?
God may be calling you to use your voice and take a stand, whether it is appreciated or not.
Can you be dedicated to God’s call on your life?
When I started street preaching last year, God showed me in a dream just that.
Even though it was completely out of my comfort zone.
At times, people shout at me in the street to be quiet.
I knew it was what God wanted me to do, so I obeyed.
Walking in the will of God can be hard at times.
It can be misunderstood.
People around you may not understand.
But do not change your allegiance.
Jesus tells us in John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me”.
This is a direct command.
Notice how there is no deviation or hesitation.
Sheep are dependent on the Shepherd.
They follow their leader and are docile -willing to take instructions.
The sheep knew His voice.
Are we willing to follow?
Feeding correlates with obedience.
Whatever is feeding us in our lives will have an impact.
It is vital that you feed yourself with the word of God.
It will determine the path we follow.
Luke 11:28 tell us “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it”.
When I started walking with Jesus, the same friendships I had previously had faded away; my friends wanted me to go out with them partying, they wanted to draw me back into that lifestyle, but I had to make a choice.
As reminded in Matthew 7:14, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it”.
This journey requires constant self discipline and commitment.
May you walk on that narrow road that leads to life.
Perhaps God is speaking to you today; you must listen to that still small voice.
It is so easy to go down another path, which is not intended for you.
But the way of the Lord is worth it.
PRAYER
Father in the Name of Jesus,
Thank you, Abba Father, as there is none like you,
I give you all the honour and praise,
Thank you for your grace and mercy,
I pray that you will cleanse me again today,
Lead me on the right path,
Make my path straight,
Help me to be led by you,
Leaning on you and not on my own understanding,
Help me to walk in obedience,
May I walk in step with you,
Direct me in all my ways,
May I be devoted to you,
After your own heart,
Help me to be a true disciple,
Remove any pride within me,
Remove any disobedience,
May stubbornness not be my portion,
Transform my heart,
May I yield to the plans you have for my life,
Give me clarity in my decision-making,
May I not make any mistakes,
Or turn away from you,
May my allegiance remain with you,
May you continue to feed and guide me all the days of my life,
In your precious Holy Name.
Amen
Written by Jaeger. V
6.06.26