I am no outlaw by any stretch of the imagination, but I do tend to bend the rules sometimes. Once, we took the kids to swim at our favorite canyon with an amazing creek flowing through the bottom. We arrived at the trailhead only to read a sign saying the creek was closed for swimming because of the strong current. I assured everyone this sign was just a “suggestion” put there by attorneys who did not want the parks department to get sued by people who couldn’t swim well. I don’t think I had made it 5 steps into the water before a Park Ranger appeared from nowhere to kick us out of the park…ruining the day my wife had planned.
Many of us treat God’s commandments as “suggestions” from a faraway God in a long-ago time, who has lost touch with what fun is. Like that Park Ranger in my story, God wants to protect us and He wants what is best for us. God does not want to squash our fun and freedom. He wants to clearly define the boundaries so we can operate in peace and security.
Learning to trust God and his commands is a process. When we obey, He is faithful to support and guide us. Those who honor God are rewarded. Deuteronomy 4:40 reads, “Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.”
Take a moment to honestly assess how you feel about God’s commands. Are you naturally grateful for his guidance? Or do you tend to rebel against his decrees?