A Loss of Cabin Pressure
Suddenly the plane cabin loses half its air. Everyone starts gasping, struggling to breathe. In response, the little yellow cups and bags drop down at eye level, as the pilot swiftly executes a controlled dive to get the people to a lower breathable altitude.
Would anyone refuse to put on the yellow mask, and then complain they weren’t getting any oxygen? Some Christians might–we do it all the time. We ask God to change us or our circumstances. Soon the Holy Spirit starts nudging us to obey in some new area. The two are connected. The oxygen mask is offered, but we can refuse to obey the stewardess’s instructions. If we don’t put on the mask, we won’t receive any extra oxygen. Simple—yet we miss it.
Freedom from Egyptian Diseases
In Ex 15:26 the Lord promises the Israelites that if they obey Him, they won’t suffer any Egyptian diseases.
He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I bought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you. (Exodus 15:26 NIV)
Yahweh’s new laws told the people to abstain from certain foods and observe ritual cleansing. Centuries before the discovery of microscopic germs, God’s divine laws protected His chosen people from disease—as long as they obeyed.
Your Obedience Leads to Your Blessing
Obeying Jesus’ call to forgive our enemies contains hidden blessing too. During WWII, Corrie ten Boom aided the Jews and ended up in a German concentration camp. After the war, God prompted this amazing Christian woman to offer healing to people brutalized by the Nazis. She discovered those who forgave their enemies healed. Those who refused to forgive remained emotional wrecks—life-long prisoners of their trauma.
What are you tussling with the Lord about? What oxygen mask are you refusing to put on? If the Holy Spirit is convicting you, then maybe God’s call to new levels of obedience and your blessing are linked. You will never lose if you choose to obey the Lord.
Do what He says. Put on your oxygen mask and breathe deeply.
All images are from Pixabay.com.
Resources:
This devotion is re-used with permission by the website, “Christian Devotions.” This website features a devotion by a different writer each day. So each devotion is unique and frequently challenging. To explore this website, please click here: christiandevotions.us.
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Good one today Maureen, I’ve been living this for most of this year. It’s been a pruning season, love the oxygen mask analogy. Would like to use it at some point, if OK with you :-).
Mary, please feel free to use my analogy any time you wish. Give my love to your husband. I look forward to the next time we see each other.