The Quill and Me—Devotional Blog•Oswald Chambers Reflections
July 18
Today's Reading: My Utmost for His Highest
Acts 9:5
He said, "Who are You, Lord?"
Woe is Me if I Refuse the Light
Chambers' message, The Mystery of Believing, begins with the story of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus— the moment he met the Son of God on the road to Damascus and was forever changed. The strong-willed Pharisee became a humble bondservant of Jesus Christ.
Chambers goes on to speak of the belief within us all, and what we ultimately choose to do with it.
Jesus is not a religion. He is a Person. And to have a relationship with the Person of Christ, you must believe Him to be the Son of God—the Word made flesh who lived among men, suffered, died, and reconciled us to the Father. He is the sacrificial Lamb of God who took on the sin of the world. His blood washes our sins away. Our sins are forgiven, and we receive eternal life when we accept Him as our Savior.
Though we owe Him everything, Jesus does not break the human spirit by forcing obedience. We were given a free will, and we must use it to choose Him— first as Savior, then as Lord. Obedience is the natural response of a heart that recognizes Jesus as holy God.
Paul recognized him. And because he did, obedience flowed from his life. He let Christ use him. He became broken bread and poured-out wine for others.
But if I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and say, "I will not obey," I am refusing His recreating power in my life. It makes no difference what condition I am in—if I will only come to Him, He will do the reshaping. But refusing the light after recognizing it as the power of God is like signing the death certificate of the Son of God in my soul. I am saying, "You may save me, but I do not want You to rule me... God. Creator. Holy One. Most High."
Who does that?
Jonah tried—and was swallowed by a great fish.
Israel tried—and wandered 40 years until the disobedient generation passed away.
King Nebuchadnezzar tried—and lost his mind, living outside, and eating grass like an ox. After seven years cut off from human dignity, he finally looked up toward heaven. When he recognized God as the true King, his sanity returned.
Woe is me if I refuse the light.
Prayer
Lord,
You are the true Light that breaks into my darkness.
Give me a heart that recognizes You,
a will that bows to You,
and a spirit that obeys You with joy.
Keep me from refusing Your voice.
Draw me into the understanding, peace, and sanity
that come only from walking in Your light.
Shape me, correct me, and lead me.
I surrender again today.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Selah,
~ Quil
Scripture References
Acts 9:5 — Saul’s encounter with Christ
Isaiah 6:5 — “Woe is me…”
Isaiah 6:1 — Isaiah’s vision of the Lord
John 3:19–21 — refusing the light vs coming to the light
Daniel 4:32–34 — Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling and restoration
Jonah 1:1–3, 17 — Jonah’s refusal and God’s pursuit
Numbers 14:22–23 — Israel’s disobedience in the wilderness
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