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God's Love and Obedience, His Love Came First

  • Writer: Rebecca  Joseph
    Rebecca Joseph
  • Feb 14
  • 6 min read

Updated: Jul 24



Hi all,


In honor of Valentine’s Day, I figured we’d switch things up around here and upload a new blog post on—you guessed it—love. However, this isn’t the kind of post where we talk about how love is so great, so grand, and how amazing it feels to be chosen (not because it isn’t). But that’s not what we’re focusing on here. This blog post is for anyone who, for one reason or another, needs encouragement and is struggling to see just how deeply God’s love and obedience are connected—how He’s spoken over you, cared for you, catered to your needs, and heard the cry of your heart. Today, we’re talking about the link between one father’s love, the Father’s love, and the powerful invitation that comes with obedience.


Wrestling with God's Love and Obedience


Obedience has always carried a negative meaning. We've associate it to struggle — something to fight, not to welcome in. We assume that obedience is about rules or taking orders. But what if obedience isn’t about being controlled—what if it’s about being loved first? In this blog post, I’m exploring what it means to answer God’s call—not from fear or pressure, but from a place of trust in God's heart for you. Because God’s love and obedience were never meant to be in competition. His love came first. The obedience? That’s the response.


Maybe you've been asking God about a desire that still hasn’t come to pass. Maybe you’ve been praying for direction and all you’ve heard is silence. Or maybe you’ve been trying to decide your next step but feel paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong. I get it—we’ve all been there. You might still be there now. Tired. Stuck. Out of options.


But let me remind you: God’s love and obedience aren’t two separate paths—they’re deeply connected. God’s love doesn’t make obedience unnecessary—it makes it possible. His love doesn’t disappear when the answers take time. And His guidance isn’t something you have to earn. It starts with love, and obedience flows from that.


I want you to give the desires of your heart to the Lord today.


God’s Love and Obedience Can Coexist


Obedience isn’t always about doing—it often starts with giving. Giving your desires. Giving your expectations. Giving your control. And Scripture reminds us that when we delight in the Lord, when we commit to trusting Him, He doesn’t ignore us—He responds. He acts. He moves. He makes it known that He sees us.


This is what God’s love and obedience look like in real time—intimate, intentional, and deeply intertwined.


The moment you give your desires to God isn’t weakness—it’s worship. It’s not letting go and hoping for the best. It’s trusting that He’s already working. Scripture reminds us that when we delight in Him, He acts on our behalf.


Psalms 37:4-6, says this:


4 "Take delight in the Lord and he shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way unto the Lord, trust in Him, and He will act, 6 making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like noonday. Psalms 37:4-6


Still Chosen: God's Love and Obedience


I want assure you that if you've had any doubt, take heed to my words: You have not been forgotten. He hears the cry of your heart. He is still there and knows exactly what you need. He is waiting for you to take the first step. He's already carrying you in the palm of his hand.


You may not see it yet, but that doesn’t mean He’s absent. Sometimes the silence is just God moving in a way that hasn't presented itself yet. Just because the answer hasn’t come doesn’t mean the promise is off the table. And just because you feel forgotten doesn’t mean you are. This is where God’s love and obedience meet—when you choose to trust Him even in the silence.



Silhouettes of fathers and daughters interacting in front of a large red heart with the phrase “How God sees you.” Represents God’s love, care, and how He sees His children with affection.


If no one else has told you lately: You are seen. You are known, and you are held—by a God who’s already working it out.



What Surrender Reveals about God's Love and Obedience


The Lord desires to put away your anxieties, the negative shame spirals, and the constant replaying of old situations that are long-gone and behind you. He wants to put your struggles to rest.


"Cast your cares on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

God knows the circumstances and looming weight on your heart. He knows the desires you’ve tried to downplay. He sees the things you haven’t told anyone—the thoughts you wrestle with in silence. He even understands the hesitation that keeps you from moving forward.


He knows.


And He’s still calling you forward. He knows the opportunities that await you on the other side of your uncertainty.  And this is exactly where God’s love and obedience begin to work together: when you're willing to surrender, even without full clarity. I implore you, Let this next opportunity be God-breathed.


Graphic with the phrase 'Let this next opportunity be God-breathed. Take the risk. He’ll be right there ready to catch you,' encouraging trust in God’s love and obedience.


Let your next step be rooted in trust. Respond to what He’s asking, even if it feels risky—because He already sees the promise waiting on the other side of your surrender.


Bold in God's Love and Obedience


Walking forward in faith is always an act of trusting God’s love and obedience — especially when it doesn’t look the way we imagined.


Jeremiah 29:11 says this:

"For I know the plans that I have for you said the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Ephesians 3:20 goes further, and states:


"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is [at work within us]." Ephesians 3:20

You do not need to do more. You do not need to try harder, work faster or smarter. You do not need to re-organize your plan or wait until tomorrow.


The time to move is now.


There is no situation that the Lord will let you go into it alone; scared, uncovered, vulnerable. He will not leave you stranded.


God's Love and Obedience Remain


Here's what the Bible says in Psalms 139:


7"Where can I go to escape your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast [...] 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb."

A passage from Psalm 139 with a soft illustration of praying hands behind the text. Highlights themes of God’s presence, comfort, and deep knowledge of us from creation.

Rest assured: Even at this very moment the Lord is running after you. He has not slowed or grown weary in pursuit of you. The Lord loves you and desires your whole heart. He is willing to wait until you are ready to show you what's next. Make it your mission to be prepared.


A pastel mirror illustration with text reminding viewers to see themselves as worthy, lovely, and chosen by God. Encourages faith-based self-worth and confidence in identity.







If you needed this reminder: Start seeing yourself as worthy, lovely, beautiful, purposeful, blessed, and chosen. Step into every room like God personally placed YOU there. That's because He did.










Led by God's Love and Obedience

Okay, so boom—God reminded me of the exact same thing. And of course, He did it in the most unexpected (and lowkey hilarious) way. Right now, He’s got me working on this new project, and I’ve been getting little nudges of encouragement from everywhere. Friends. Co-workers. Even my dad.


Now listen—my dad has always been the “go explore, go learn, go try it” type. But lately? He’s been on me heavy about this one idea. He swears it was his idea first (side eye), and he keeps casually suggesting things, redirecting my doubts, and basically lowkey coaching me without even knowing it.


But here’s the plot twist: I’ve already started. I’m already walking in it.

The whole time he’s been hyping me up, thinking he’s giving me a push... he’s actually been confirming what God already whispered to me. It’s like the divine version of “you got this”—and honestly, I didn’t even know how much I needed that reassurance—but that’s the thing about God’s love and obedience. His love affirms. And obedience opens the door for moments like this..


"I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and [eat with him] and he will be with me." Revelation 3:20

God is calling each of us to accept his invitation—His love. It’s that invitation, paired with our ability to recognize and respond to His voice, that allows Him to move in powerful, intimate, unexpected ways.


I’m learning that God’s love and obedience are not separate — they walk hand in hand, even when the road gets hard.



Will you let me partner in agreement with you as He begins to move in our lives—together?


Scriptures for further meditation:

  • Isaiah 40:25-28

  • Revelation 3:20

  • Revelation 4:2-11

  • Jeremiah 31:3



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Silhouettes of a father and daughter dancing with the text overlay “A Father’s Love: The Call to Obedience & Identity.” Represents a Christian message about fatherhood, obedience, and God’s love.












1 Comment


Erica
Feb 18

Great post!! INVITATION 😊

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"Do not go where the path may lead, many have gone there. Instead, go where God leads."

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