Jesus said…If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15 NASB. He
is repeating what was said throughout the Old Testament. Keep God’s
commandments. We are told that at least 113 times in the New American Standard
Bible translation. Obey…keep God’s commandments.
Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is
God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a
thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments….
Deuteronomy 7:9 NASB
Serve only the LORD your God and fear him
alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. Deuteronomy
13:4
God blesses the one who reads the words of
this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey
what it says, for the time is near. Revelation 1:3 NLT
If…if…I
will…I will…I will. God has a plan set out before the Israelites. If they
would just listen…and obey. If not
they could count on disaster from the hand of God. Punishment. Terror. Disease.
Fevers. Stolen crops. Defeat. Worst of all is that God Himself will turn
against them. No wonder He says that they will run even when no one is chasing
them. Such fear.
Would more laws motivate them to listen and
obey? There were so many laws assigned by God that they must have been just
totally overwhelmed at this point. The oppressive slave drivers in Egypt must
have whipped them into obedience…and now God was just giving them rules to
follow. They had choices to make. If you obey…then I will be your God and bless
you. If you don’t obey…expect punishment.
 |
| Is this guy chasing you? Alligator at Charleston Museum. |
Can we expect any less? Yes. We are under
God’s grace. His unmerited favor. How blessed we are—to have Jesus pay for our
sins, but we are still expected to live a life of holiness--obedience. God
wants us to respect Him by showing our obedience to Him and love to others.
That way we will never have to run without being chased…unless we run just for
exercise. The time is near…are you running to God or away from Him?
Prayer
~ Lord God, as Your child, I am listening to You and trying to do as You say,
so I will have a long, good life. You are teaching me wisdom's ways and leading
me in straight paths. When I walk, I won't be held back; when I run, I won't
stumble. I am taking hold of Your instructions and I won't let them go. I guard
them, for they are the key to life. Proverbs 4:10-13.
Daily
Bible Reading: February 27 – Numbers 8-10
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© 2018 Text and
Photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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