Does Obedience Create a Restricted Life?
Day 1—Don’t Delay: Obedience Is the Door to Freedom
Jehovah Nissi — The LORD Is My Banner
Before we learn about obedience together, we must talk about the One we obey. Part of my daily rhythms is to reflect on one name of God all week. This week, it is Jehovah Nissi.
In Exodus 17, Moses lifted his staff during battle. As long as it was raised, Israel prevailed. When his arms dropped, the enemy advanced. So Aaron and Hur held his arms up—and God gave victory.
Afterward, Moses built an altar and named it Jehovah Nissi — The LORD is my banner.
He didn’t name the altar Our Strength or Our Effort.
He named it after God’s covering.
When we obey, we don’t fight for identity or freedom.
We obey under His name.
That’s where the power is. That’s where freedom begins.
I Believed Two Lies About Obedience
As a new believer, I believed two lies about obedience:
Lie #1: Obedience is restrictive.
I was disciplined a lot as a kid. Then abused.
Later, I wasn’t disciplined at all—because I’d learned to cope, to survive, and not rock the boat in a home I loved.
By the time I attempted to focus on Jesus (small attempts because no one else around me was), I expected obedience to feel like control—like God might take advantage of me or drain the joy from life.
Lie #2: I didn’t deserve good things.
When something good did happen, I braced for bad.
I felt like I hadn’t earned the blessing, so I’d sabotage it before it could grow.
With both lies, I didn’t realize I was projecting a false image of God onto the true God. The enemy and my sinful flesh had successfully destroyed any motivation to seek God. As a result, obedience was optional.
The Enemy Studies You Like a Hunter
The enemy isn’t studying you like a bored student—he’s tracking you like a hunter.
He memorizes the weak spots, sets the bait, waits to trap and destroy.
He attacks obedience because he knows obedience is the path to intimacy and power.
This week, we’re fighting back.
We’re remembering who God is and who we are under His name.
You are called, anointed, and chosen.
You don’t obey to earn His love—you obey because you already have it.
Psalm 119:59–61 — Three Moves That Change Everything
“I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies.
I hurried and did not delay to keep Your commandments.
The snares of the wicked have surrounded me,
But I have not forgotten Your Law.”
1. Depend — Relationship Before Rules
“I considered my ways and turned my feet…”
Obedience begins in awareness.
The psalmist doesn’t move from guilt—he moves from reflection. He can reflect because he has spent time in relationship.
He pauses long enough to see the drift—and turns.
Dependence births direction.
When you abide (spend daily time in His word and world pursuing a trusting relationship with Him) in Him, obedience becomes desire, not duty.
It’s not a test of performance—it’s a sign of proximity.
2. Obey Quickly — Don’t Delay
“I hurried and did not delay…”
If the enemy can’t stop you, he’ll try to slow you down.
But the psalmist doesn’t debate or procrastinate—he moves.
Delayed obedience is disobedience.
Every time God prompts your spirit and you hesitate, you give the flesh time to justify delay. And remember, obedience in God's economy always leads to fruit.
Obedience protects. Obedience sharpens. Obedience brings peace.
You were made to move in rhythm with your Father.
3. Remember — Dwell on His Faithfulness
“The snares of the wicked have surrounded me, but I have not forgotten Your Law.”
Obedience doesn’t make life easier—it makes you unshakable.
Even when surrounded, you remember truth because of your relationship with Him.
Remembering is how you stay standing.
When lies close in, remember what He’s done in scripture and in your life.
When shame whispers or the world’s noise seems louder, remember who you are.
The banner flying over you isn’t your performance—it’s His faithfulness.
Is Obedience Restriction or Freedom?
It depends on who you believe God is.
If you see Him as a taskmaster, obedience feels like slavery.
If you know Him as Father, obedience becomes safety.
He isn’t taking freedom away—He’s giving it back.
I like to think of sports when pondering obedience. If there were no rules, sidelines, referees, or other regulations, the game would be chaotic and challenging to watch. There’s something wired in us by our Creator that allows us to thrive under His grace—despite our sin.
So God has given us a promise in scripture greater than a game-winning touchdown:
“If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
— John 8:31–32
Jesus Lifted Up — The Final Banner
In Numbers 21, healing came when the Israelites looked up to the bronze serpent.
In John 3, Jesus said:
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up…”
The curse was lifted so we could live free.
Jesus obeyed perfectly, suffered fully, and rose victoriously.
Now obedience isn’t a cage—it’s a response to love.
Never Finished Challenge
1. Reflect: What lie about obedience still shapes how you see God?
2. Repent: Turn your feet back toward His ways by asking God how to counter your lies. For example:
Lie #1: “Obedience is restrictive. God will take advantage of me or box me in.”Truth: God’s commands are for your freedom, not control.
Psalm 119:45 — “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.”
Freedom isn’t found in independence—it’s found in walking aligned with His truth.Deuteronomy 10:12–13 — “What does the Lord your God require of you but to fear the Lord… and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes… for your good?”
God’s commands are not chains—they’re protection. Every “no” is guarding a greater “yes.”John 14:21 — “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me… and I will manifest Myself to him.”
Obedience opens the door to deeper revelation of God’s presence.Romans 6:16–18 — “You were slaves of sin, but you became obedient from the heart… and having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
Obedience doesn’t enslave—it sets you free from what actually enslaves you.Psalm 16:11 — “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy.”
God’s path is not prison—it’s joy.
Pray:
“Father, I confess that I’ve believed Your commands would cage me. Show me again that obedience is the way to walk in freedom, joy, and purpose under Your banner.”
Lie #2: “I don’t deserve good things. When something good happens, something bad will follow.”
Truth: God delights to bless His children—your worth is rooted in His love, not your performance.
James 1:17 — “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
Goodness in your life isn’t random—it’s your Father’s nature expressed toward you.Romans 8:32 — “He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?”
The cross proves His generosity. If He gave Jesus, He won’t withhold anything for your good.Zephaniah 3:17 — “The Lord your God is in your midst… He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love.”
You are not tolerated—you are delighted in.Ephesians 1:3–5 — “He has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing… in love He predestined us for adoption.”
Your position as son means you inherit favor. It’s not earned—it’s bestowed.Psalm 103:2–5 — “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits… who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”
Don’t brace for loss; bless Him for grace.
Pray:
“Father, I renounce the lie that I don’t deserve good things. You are not waiting to punish me. You are my good Father who gives freely because of Jesus. Teach me to receive Your blessings without fear.”
3. Respond: Act quickly on the Spirit’s prompt—don’t delay. Have grace when you miss it and make a mistake (it happens daily!)
4. Remember: Write one story this week where obedience produced freedom.
What does today say about God?
Jehovah Nissi — My Banner of Victory
Lord, lift my eyes today.
Teach me to live under Your banner—covered, free, and surrendered.
When fear surrounds or lies whisper, remind me: obedience is the doorway to freedom.
You are my banner. My victory. My refuge.
And I will not delay.
What a Father!
What a Friend!
What a King!
Thank you, Jesus