It Truly is for Our Own Good

"'And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day. Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us'" (Deut. 6:24-25).

Look at what we've just read! God commands us nothing but what is really for our good. It opens our eyes to the nature of our Heavenly Father when we understand that it is in our interest to walk in righteousness. The enemy deceives us into believing that obeying God's law is too restrictive and burdensome; but, in this passage, we are enlightened to the truth that obedience brings blessing.

The Spirit within you is bearing witness right now to these words. When you delight in the law of the Lord, when you receive the implanted word with meekness, and when you are not a forgetful hearer, but an obedient doer...you will blessed in all that you do. These are promises from our Heavenly Father.

As we summarize some of what we have studied so far, we know that God is good; we also know that God is loving; we know that He loves us with a perfect love; and we know that God's perfect law brings freedom.

Then why do we do what we do?
If we know the above to be true (and it all is true), why do we continue to hold on so tightly to the things we think will make us happy? We hold on because we believe the lie. It is interesting that maybe one particular lie really makes us miserable, but it's familiar, and it's always easy to go back to the familar, even when it makes us miserable. Besides, someday maybe we'll be happy with it. Isn't that a crazy way to think? It's not logical. I am certain that it takes faith and courage to completely let go. But we can do it! We can release the sin that has entangled us. We must refuse the lie that keeps coming to our minds, then refuse it again. It takes practice. Always remember that we can do all things through Christ Jesus Who gives us strength.

As we meditate on these truths, may we find our Father's heart and receive His limitless grace to obey His Word.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love, Karen

Is God Enough for You?

Let's take some time right now to read Psalm 78.

Now, I would like you to read verse 3 again, "For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked."

The psalmist begins his writing by declaring the goodness of God. However, he admits in the third verse that when he looks around at the people of the world, he sees their wealth and is envious. They seem to have it all together, and are prospering and the evidence is their possessions. On one hand, he looks at the Lord and knows His goodness, but on the other, he's wondering if maybe he could just have something more to add to the Lord, then he could prosper just like the world. He complains that he follows the Lord for no profit whatsoever. In fact, the writer has fretted himself into a downward spiral and has even called his life plague-filled.

Then, he enters the sanctuary of the Lord, into God's very presence. There, he worships and in pain lifts his condition to the Lord of mercy. God opens his eyes, and he begins to understand the consequences of those who trust in their possessions. He recognizes his sin of coveting and ungratefulness before the Lord and confesses his foolishness and ignorance. The Lord forgives the repentant man, and then he comes full circle. He looks to the heavens and praises the Lord with the following words, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

The writer concludes his psalm with verse 28, "But, it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works."

The Lord is enough; the Lord is more than enough. Because He is good and because He loves, He will also make sure that His children have everything they need. This is the truth for us to dwell on as we continute our studies.

Love,
Karen