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Devotion / "Yes, Lord!"—not "Yeah, but"...

Devotion / "Yes, Lord!"—not "Yeah, but"...

Devotions, Blog

Yeah, but….

Do you ever get tired of hearing "yeah, buts..."?

Maybe it's from your kids, your mate, your co-workers, your boss. Maybe it's you. Humans are outstanding at rationalizing what seems best for them despite realizing what they know in their heart is right.

Imagine, for a moment, God's frustration with all the "yeah, buts..." he hears—even from those who believe in him and know him. The Bible is full of examples. Consider these:

  • Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

  • Cain after killing Abel.

  • Moses saying he didn't speak well enough.

  • Jonah running away from Nineveh.

  • Peter and the disciples denying Jesus.

  • Ananias and Sapphira conspiring to fool the church.

  • Add your own examples here—Biblical or personal.

Yes, Lord

All these "yeah, but..." moments clearly show it's better simply to say "Yes, Lord." But that is something our prideful sinful nature bristles at. We think we know what's best, but experience shows otherwise. How is it possible to adopt a "Yes, Lord" lifestyle?

On our own, it's not. But God is so good to us. He has called us out of our "yeah, but..." ways. In Ephesians 4, we are encouraged in Christ to put off our old self and our former way of life for a new attitude and a new way of life (vs. 22-24). The release from sin’s slavery and consequences that the Lord Christ has won for us provides all the motivation we need to say yes to him. He has equipped us—his people—for works of service to build up the body of Christ (vs. 11-12). His Spirit works in our hearts to put the "yeah, butts..." behind us and say enthusiastically "Yes, Lord!"

Examples to follow

Think of Eli's advice to young Samuel. If the Lord calls you, say "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9). Or, Isaiah's response: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8).

Together in faith, let us turn our backs to all those sinful "yeah, but..." excuses and instead embrace the new way of life our Lord Christ has prepared for us. In him, we can say "Yes, Lord" to his calling for us.

Prayer

Loving Lord, by our sinful natures, we are great at making excuses for our sins and selfish attitudes. Through your Spirit, transform our lives from a series of "yeah, buts..." to lives that honor you and say "Yes, Lord!" Amen. 

By Dave Payne