Read 1 John 5:1–3
This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not
burdensome. 1 John 5:3

Everything in creation—except man—obeys the will of God. “Lightning
and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds … do his bidding” (Ps. 148:8). In the book of Jonah, we see the winds and waves, and even the fish, obeying God’s commands, but the prophet stubbornly wanted his own way.

Disobedience to God’s will is a tragedy—but so is reluctant, grudging
obedience. God does not want us to disobey Him, but neither does He want us to obey Him out of fear or necessity. What Paul wrote about giving also applies to living: “not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).

What is the secret of joyful obedience? It is to recognize that obedience is a family matter. We are serving a loving Father and helping our brothers and sisters in Christ. We have been born of God; we love God, and we love God’s children. And we demonstrate this love by keeping God’s commandments.

Something to Ponder
What are some specific things you would be willing to try this week to
attempt to make your obedience more joyful?