Be very strong. That’s how Joshua begins his charge. But notice what he calls them to be strong in doing. Not fighting. Not conquering. But keeping God’s Word. All of it. Not the parts you like. Not the easy commands. All that is written.
There’s a world of difference between careless obedience and careful obedience. Careless obedience shows up to church but doesn’t engage. It reads the Bible but doesn’t reflect. It prays but doesn’t really talk to God. It serves but resents the sacrifice. Careless obedience checks boxes without giving its heart.
Careful obedience is different. It’s intentional. Wholehearted. Comprehensive. It doesn’t ask, “How close can I get to sin without crossing the line?” It asks, “How can I honor God with everything I do?” Careful obedience reads Scripture looking for transformation, not just information. It prays with genuine engagement, not just reciting words. It serves with joy, not duty.
The danger of comfortable seasons is that our obedience becomes careless. We’re not in crisis, so we don’t feel the urgency. We’re not desperate, so we don’t cling as tightly. We start going through the motions, showing up but not showing up fully.
Today, God is calling you to careful obedience. Not perfection, but intentionality. Not sinlessness, but wholeheartedness. The question isn’t whether you’re obeying. The question is: Are you obeying carefully?