Nature & Mechanics of Obedience
In all nature action precedes outcome.
- Hunger makes a demand/command.
- Action: planting, harvesting, or killing, cooking
- Eating: hunger satisfied
Desire, hunger, lack, and attraction: each of these ‘drives’ makes a demand on us. The desire alone does not satisfy itself. It requires an action (obedience) to accomplish satisfaction or fulfillment. The action/obedience is the connection or conduit between hunger and fulfillment.
OK, a little philosophical there. But I’m trying to first get a picture of the mechanics of ‘why an act of obedience often precedes a miracle.'

A More Human Example
Two men see a boy drowning in a lake. Neither man is a good swimmer. Both men are caught with the inner demand to do something to save the boy. One man immediately sets out to save the boy, unconscious of danger to himself. He forgot that he couldn’t swim well. Boy is saved. The second man pauses and is struck with the sense of his own inadequacy. He begins thinking of how to save the boy without putting himself at risk. Too late.

Relationship is the Deal
Another aspect of obedience and miracles has to with the nature of relationship. There are few parental pleasures greater than having a child happily obey just because he or she wants to.
Most every coach is favorably drawn to a player who is all-in with his attitude, and displays confidence by his posture, his eyes, and his punctuality. Conversely, the athlete who is reticent, always over-thinking and second-guessing his instructions, repels the coach. Coaches don’t like seeing tardiness, daydreaming, or sluggishness in practice.

State of Heart
I believe Jesus’ emphasis on cheerful obedience is simply because it’s necessary for the development of trust and intimacy. I find it interesting that in Deut. 28:47, 48 where God was listing the curses for disobedience, He said, Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and a glad heart, for the abundance of all things; therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you, . . . Clearly obedience void of rejoicing and gladness of heart was a foul stench unto the Lord.
Obedience from a delightful heart is the sweet and fragrant offering to which He is drawn. God may and sometimes does honor faith from an estranged heart, but Jesus says He doesn’t know such men.