01-02-12 "Obedience: God's Pathway to Blessing" Deuteronomy 5:27-6:3

The passage I read was Deuteronomy 5:27-6:3

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%205:27-6:3&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

 32 So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.

As I reflect:

As I reflect, I think about my kids.   I think about our relationship and how I give them rules and boundaries in some areas, but in others I have to allow them to learn for themselves.  Some things in life are best learned by experiencing.  Other things weren’t meant to be learned that way.  Such as sticking a butter knife in a power outlet, or jumping off the roof with grocery bags strapped to your back as a parachute.  No parent thinks this is a lesson that a child should learn on their own.  No.  We teach them that this isn’t ok and tell them “no”.  We educate them about drugs and pregnancy.  We guide them in the value of being honest and treating others how they want to be treated.   God likewise with us knew that there were lessons in life that could destroy our relationships with Him and even our very life, and He desired to guide us in such a way that those things wouldn’t happen.  His commands are the big things; those things which if not followed could lead us to self destruct (or receive quite the shock from an outlet as it were).  There are lessons that God allows us to learn through experience like being strengthened or growing in patience, just as we often allow our own children to experiment with good and bad choices so that they may learn discernment.  But like the God we serve, we also set lines that are not to be crossed.  We don’t do this out of some evil plot to take away our children’s fun in life, but out of love to protect them from the more permanent mistakes and repercussions as a result.  I teach my kids the commands of the Lord because they matter greatly and are of upmost importance in my life and in theirs.  We understand the consequences that can come from a life of lies, adulterous relationships, making your own god or making yourself your god, murder, theft, coveting, etc.  We understand the human earthly consequences and the spiritual eternal consequences of such sin and lawlessness and believe it is important to be obedient not only to God’s laws, but also to man’s laws. 

Now this can be hard at times.  It’s not always easy to be obedient, but there is a key that helps.  There are several keys to help us throughout the Word, but here the one being discussed is love.  John 14:15 says, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”  Here in Deuteronomy we are told the same thing in so many words.  If you go on reading just a little beyond the assigned passage you will read, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. “  This is an expression of the importance of obeying but it’s also a key to helping us obey.  We are to love the Lord.  If we truly love the Lord, then our decisions are effected by what the Lord has taught us.  When a child loves their parents, they are often faced with considering what their parent would say or think about their choices.  This is a daily consideration for us as disciples of God.  We are to consider all of our choices not only in action or word, but also in thought that we bring ourselves under obedience to the Holy Spirit.  Additionally, just as in verse 7, we consider these things daily and discuss them amongst other believers and in our family.  This too helps us greatly as what informed decision can one make if they are not informed? 

My response to the Lord:

I want to be obedient to you My Lord and King, because I love you with all my soul and strength.  I ask for you help to obey as my flesh is so weak.  May your Holy Spirit remind my family throughout every day of your word and that you are with us.  Teach us your ways Lord, and help us to follow you.  In Jesus’ name.