The Grand Reward for Obedience

Obedience not only brings happy family relations and other lifelong benefits but also provides  the foundation upon which can be built the most vital relationship of all-that between a person and his Creator. As the "Grand Creator" with whom is "the source of life,"  Jehovah God rightfully deserves our complete obedience. -Ecclesiastes  12:1; Psalm 36:9. 

The word "obey" in its various forms  occurs more than 160 times in the Bible.  Additionally, there are hundreds of references to God's laws, orders, commandments, judicial decisions, and regulations, all of which call for submission. We are left in no doubt that God views obedience as a requirement for enjoying his approval. Yes, obedience is an indispensable ingredient for building a relationship with Jehovah. (1 Samuel 15:22) Sadly, the natural human tendency is not obedience but disobedience. "The inclination of the heart of man is bad from his youth up," says the Bible.  (Genesis 8:21)  Therefore, the lesson of obedience had to be learned not only in childhood but throughout life. Doing so brings a grand reward. 

Recall that, as the apostle Paul put it, the command to be obedient to parents comes with a two-fold promise, namely, that "it may go well with you and you may endure a long time on the earth."  A confirmation of this promise is found at Proverbs 3:1, 2:  "My son, my law do not forget, and my commandments may your heart observe, because length of days and year and life  and peace will be added to you." The grand reward for those  who obey is a personal relationship  with Jehovah now and everlasting life in a peaceful new world. -Revelation 21:3, 4. 

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From the Watchtower magazine, 2001