The sink was blocked. I had been advised to use a plunger and pour hot water down the drain to ease the problem. As I reached for the kettle, I offered up a silent prayer asking God to make the work of my hands successful (as He had promised in His word). Just before I poured, I felt I should do something else before pouring the water. It was a good idea, but I didn’t want to get my hands mucky, so I ignored the thought and went ahead. Guess what? The added water only compounded the problem. Feelings of hurt that God had not answered my prayer began to surface, but God quickly reminded me that He had given me the solution but I had ignored him. Sheepishly I repented and did what God had told me to do. Afterwards I poured in a second kettle of hot water, and voila! the problem was solved!
What about you? Are the drains of your life blocked? Try obedience. Is there an area of your life that deep down in your heart you know you haven’t surrendered completely to God? This thing, whatever it may be, may most likely be blocking your blessings. Deuteronomy 28 lists many attractive blessings, but the only condition is full obedience. Surrender completely to God in utter obedience, then leave the rest to him.
I would like to add a little note of caution here though. Not every illness, pain or difficult situation in our lives can be traced to living in disobedience, as can be discovered from the story of Job and also from Joseph’s story in Genesis. We should be very careful about pointing fingers at ourselves and others who we think have been disobeying God. As far as it depends on you, with the help of the Holy Spirit, believe, hope and trust! Carry on with a life of obedience, a yielded life, and the blessings of God will be all yours!
