Obedience means accepting the risk of the task assigned by your supreme power. In John 15:10, Jesus says:  "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”

Total obedience to God means that we accept the risk of being obedient even when we cannot see victory, but realise that victory comes when we are obedient to God!

In our Nation (Rwanda) we have witnessed this with, our government deploying forces for various peacekeeping missions such as in Sudan, Central African Republic among other places.   Rwandan Forces are always bound to have greater chances of success in their missions because the officers and men are guided by zeal, enthusiasm and wiliness to take great risks to carry on their tasks as ordered by their field and top- commanders.

Remember that in these missions, there are other forces from different countries but have not received as much applause as Rwandans.

I have heard many people, from near and far corners of the world, marvel at the good performance of our forces during peacekeeping missions. 

Although we are not so special in terms of training, supplies and in any form of material needs victory is registered all the time due to obedience in carrying out the assigned tasks.

This should be part of our daily life (the secret of obedience) and my prayer is that if all citizens in the country could master this philosophy, our country would become paradise. The battles you do win are from God.  

The Bible says: "If you diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country Luke5:  5 -6.

Simon answered, "Master” we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 

It is not by might, nor by power, but by God’s Spirit that we can stand against the tactics of the enemy as we build our foundation of faith, one brick at a time.

Therefore, in this New Year (so far two months have elapsed), pray for the victory of God. ‘Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’  God, open a door for the gospel.  Give boldness to your people. Save our nation, O Lord.  Come, Lord Jesus. Amen

GOD LOVES YOU.

Rev. Gatera is the Senior Pastor, Jesus Messiah Assembly Ministries, Kigali, Rwanda.