Let’s look at this verse from the perspective of different generations. Read this verse to a young child and they’ll readily agree that they need to obey Mommy and Daddy…but the dance starts in the application of this into everyday living. As children grow, so does their autonomy. We draw a line in the sand and they push their big toe across it…just to see what happens! Let a teenager read this verse and you’ll probably get eye-rolling and an argument of every point…like, what exactly is the definition of obedience? And does everything mean “everything”? Finally, we read this as a parent or Grandparent, having gained a wealth of experience, wisdom, and insight… and we say, “Yes, Amen!” to this verse. For all those past experiences and circumstances have drilled into us the importance of obedience… not only to our parents, but to God.
Tag: To Know the Lord
Numbers 15: 37-38 ” The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them: Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel.’ “
These tassels were to be a visual reminder to obey the Lord’s commands, but in Matthew 23:5, Jesus accused some of the Jewish Leaders of making their tassels so extremely long as to make a show of their religious look. He went on to say, “Everything they do is done for men to see…” In many ways we can do the same, attempting to “look” super spiritual when we’re in certain crowds. God doesn’t look at our outward appearance…He looks at the heart. The Lord is saying to us – trim your tassels …get rid of your religious spirit and focus back on Me.
Psalm 10:1 ” Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? “
We just think God is far off or even worse – hiding from us when times are tough. But it’s only our own apprehension and doubt that causes us to question. In Psalm 46:1 it states, ” God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” The Hebrew meaning for the word ever-present is – to be exceedingly present or found, emphasizing the speed, completeness and might of the Lord’s help. The truth is…God has never left, nor will He ever leave you. Just because we think He’s not “doing anything” does not mean He’s not working in ways we aren’t aware of… for He’s still in control of the entire situation and will work things out for the good of those who love Him.
III John 11 ” Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.”
“Has not seen God…” A perfect case in point for this scripture is when the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord seated on His throne high and lifted up. (Isaiah 6:1) At that moment Isaiah cried out, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” When we perceive the glory, majesty, and power of the living God we suddenly become painfully aware of just how unclean and totally inadequate we are. Our sinful life is laid bare before Him…we have no excuses, no defense before a totally righteous and perfect God. Our only hope then is in the Lord’s unwarranted grace and forgiveness.
Jeremiah 32:19 ” O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; You reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve.”
Elsewhere in the Old Testament it declares, ” For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord, and He examines all his paths.” (Proverbs 5:21) We may think we’re being so sly…so cunning…so sneaky, that no one knows about our secret sin…but the Lord does. We may think we’re pulling the wool over everybody’s eyes…but God sees all…hears all…and knows all.
Psalm 112: 4 ” Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.”
When a fellow Believer is going through suffering and misery, we sometimes look heavenward and ask God, “Why?” We see examples in the Bible of powerful, Godly people who went through very dark times…and again we ask, “Why?” But if you talk to a Believer who’s gone through a traumatic event, in hindsight they will speak of God’s grace and mercy…of how He carried them when they were exhausted and weak…and of how His peace undergirded them to be able to move ahead day by day. Yes, just like Daniel, we will all spend a night in the lions’ den…but take hope, for God is right there beside you in the darkness until the sunrise.
Job 24: 13 ” There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know Its ways or stay in Its path.”
The light of Jesus has come into the world…but men love darkness, (John 3:19-20). They resist God, not recognizing or acknowledging His majesty and the gift of salvation He offers. He calls all of us to be children of light…for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. (Eph. 5:8-14).
Joshua 23:14 ” You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”
The Lord is faithful to all His promises…not just some…not just to the ones He wants to keep. No, God cannot go back on His promises to you. His Word is eternal…His covenant is forever. His precious promises to you will never fall short…they will never be in vain.
Matthew 18: 2-4 ” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And He said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.’ “
This story actually started earlier as Jesus and the Disciples were traveling. An argument had ensued among the Disciples of just who was the greatest. So now Jesus was calling them out on it and extinguishing any ego that was still lingering by having a little boy stand among them as an example of how He wanted them to behave. Not as proud, honor-seeking men, but as meek, gentle, giving children.
Hebrews 11:15-16 ” If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one.”
The Lord doesn’t want us to long for the past. When we keep going back to the comfortable…the things from our past, we will never move forward. God wants us rather to focus on His vision for today and the future in our life. Oswald Chambers said it best, “Beware of paying attention or going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been.”
Safetypinlove 