All That the Lord Says, I Will Do

 

"All That the Lord Says, I Will Do"

How many times have you said, “All that the Lord tells me to do, I will do”? Maybe you said it with sincerity, full of determination. But then, when temptation came, when pressure rose, or when the waiting was long, you realized your own weakness. This question is not new. God’s people throughout history have promised obedience, but often failed to keep their word.

Israel’s Promises—and Failures
When Moses read the covenant words of the Lord, the people responded with confidence:

• “All the words which the LORD has said we will do.” (Exodus 24:3)

• Again they declared, “All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient.” (Exodus 24:7)

But only a short time later, in Exodus 32, they made the golden calf and broke the very command they had just vowed to keep. They meant well, but their actions fell short.

This wasn’t the only time. In Exodus 19:8 they said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” Yet over and over, they complained in the wilderness, doubted God’s power, and tested His patience.

The same theme runs throughout Scripture. Joshua warned the people that they would not be able to serve the Lord faithfully (Joshua 24:19), and sure enough, the book of Judges records repeated cycles of disobedience.

Human Resolve vs. God’s Strength
These examples remind us of an important truth: our promises and human effort alone cannot sustain true obedience. Like Peter, who boldly declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not,” (Mark 14:29) we often fail when the trial comes.

But God does not leave us there. He provides a greater way through Christ.

Jesus and the New Covenant
Unlike Israel and unlike us, Jesus perfectly obeyed His Father. He said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38) And in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42).

Where Israel said, “All that the Lord says we will do” and failed, Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me I will keep” (John 6:39), and He succeeded.

The writers of the New Testament remind us that obedience is no longer built on our promises alone, but on God’s transforming power. Paul wrote:

• “It is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

• “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

• “The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (Romans 8:26)

Encouragement for Us Today
So when we reflect on that question—“How many times have you said, ‘All that the Lord tells me to do, I will do’?”—we can admit: not many times have we succeeded. But that is not the end of the story.

The good news is this: God knows our weakness, and He provides His Spirit to write His law on our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). We are not left to strive in our own strength, but to walk in Christ’s victory.

I Will(?)
Our promises may be fragile, but God’s covenant is firm. Our strength fails, but His grace is sufficient. Our “I will” often collapses, but His “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20) never changes.

Therefore, take courage today. Though our obedience falters, Jesus has already obeyed perfectly on our behalf. And through Him, we are enabled to live faithfully—not in our own strength, but by His Spirit working in us.

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