I would like to think that I would say “yes” to God. Yet, when I look at Scripture at some of the actions the Lord told His people to take, I may be more honest to say I would probably shrink back. I would not be bold enough. Honestly, I would just be embarrassed.
Joshua was asked to march his army around the city of Jericho. This is weird. I know the end of the story, the victory, but I would have felt awkward giving those instructions for a military campaign. Isaiah was asked to walk around naked as a sign to Israel’s future punishment for idol worship. That would have received a big “no way, Lord” from me. Ezekiel had to be tied down with ropes and lay on his side for months to picture the captivity of Israel. Not only that, he had to cook his food over animal poop! Hosea was called to marry a prostitute who would often be unfaithful and leave him for other men.
Then, we come to Mary. She was a young girl, pledged to be married. She received the request of heaven to bear the long-awaited Messiah. But to do this she would have the Spirit of God impregnate her. She would be tainted as “pregnant out of wedlock” all of her days. A reputation ruined while obeying God. Without hesitation, she said yes.
Why do we think our call to obedience is without cost today? Why do we think God is only asking us to do easy or comfortable things? He calls us to a strange obedience in this world, which only makes perfect sense in the heavenlies. We are told to leave our reputation behind as we follow the Lord’s guidance to sometimes humiliating situations. Would we rather say “yes” to our pride? Often, I do. I think of what others may say about me, or how their opinion of me might change, or even how I might be treated differently. But in that, I miss the victory of God.
Jericho fell and Joshua became a military legend. Isaiah received specific prophecies of the messiah hundreds of years before they took place and wrote Scripture that will be fulfilled in the future. Ezekiel saw the throne of God, the glory of God. Hosea gave a picture of forgiveness to any person or nation that wanders from the Lord and the redemption God brings to us.
And, of course, there is Mary. She birthed the Savior of the world.
It is time for us to say “yes” no matter how strange the request. For a strange obedience brings a miraculous response from God.