Check the Clause

“If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”

Isaiah 1:19

It is often amazing to me that most of the promises we love to confess actually come with a clause. There is usually something we are required to do to receive what God has promised.

Take salvation for example. The promise is that we are saved, but the clause is that we must believe in Jesus (John 3:16, Romans 10:9–10). God said He will give us the desires of our hearts, but the clause is that we must delight in Him (Psalm 37:4). We say all things work together for good, but the clause is clearly stated, it is for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Observe to obey

If you are not careful, you can get excited about the promise and completely miss the responsibility attached to it. And this is because God often calls us into partnership with Him. Yes, some promises seem unconditional, but even then, faith and/or obedience are still involved. And that in itself is a clause. If you do not obey the clause, you will not enjoy the promise. There is no two ways about it.

If you want to eat the good of the land, then you must be willing and obedient (Isaiah 1:19). You have to obey His word, because He will speak behind you. You will hear a voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). It is in following those instructions that you begin to see the good He has already placed in the land for you.

If He says go left and you go right, how will you see the good that is on the left? He is leading you because He knows exactly where the good of the land is.

What’s your part?

So, Beloved, let me ask you a question. What is the word God has given you for this year?

Ask yourself honestly, does it have a clause?
Is there something you are required to do?
Do you have a responsibility, a role to play?

Because if there is, then you must play your part. God will never fail on His own part. If He says, “I will be with you,” He will be with you (Joshua 1:5). He will always fulfil His end of the bargain. Your responsibility is to fulfil yours.

And the beautiful thing is this: He still helps you fulfil your own part. You are never doing it by your own strength. In the end, He still carries the bulk of the work. So trust Him. Depend on Him. Do your part. And watch what God will do with a life that is surrendered to Him. Watch what God will do with an obedient heart.

Pray

Ask the Lord to help you to do what you ought to do, to obey His every voice, and to walk according to His word.

In Jesus’ name, amen.
Shalom.