Listen and Obey
I grew up going to church and learning about God at a very young age. There were lots of “do’s” and “do not’s” regarding church. I remember being told to not run in the church. We were taught a sense of reverence while there. I remember learning a lot about what NOT to do, rather than the things I should do. This may have very well been a simple strategy on the part of my parents, grandparents and church leaders. This list of “do not’s” seemed to be longer than the list of “do’s”. After having kids of my own, I realize that it’s simpler to tell kids what not to do. It doesn’t take as much explanation and teaching to show them where the boundaries of the rules are. It takes time to teach the reason for the boundaries.
Moses and the people of Israel have just escaped the Egyptian army by the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea on dry land. They travel three days into the wilderness to an oasis with water, but the water wasn’t good. Check this out….
It was there at Marah that the Lord set before them the following decree as a standard to test their faithfulness to him. 26 He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.” (Exodus 15:25b-26 NLT)
This decree that the Lord gave to Moses to give to the people really spoke to me. I have to work at being a good listener. Even though, I have 4 listening devices (2 eyes and 2 ears), I am sometimes “hard of hearing”. The Lord still speaks through His Word. I’ve never heard His audible voice, though I believe He has one. He does speak into my heart when I study His Word and when I’m in prayer. I have felt Him speak while driving down the road or when I was on a walk. I believe it’s important to listen BEFORE seeking to obey. I believe the speaks to me through others. I believe the Lord speaks to me through circumstances. I believe the Lord can get my attention any time He wants. I’m thankful that He is patient with me as I work to improve my listening skills. I am also working on my obedient skills as well.
On a side note, I don’t believe the Lord teaches truth the same way He is teaching the Israelites here in the desert. I believe that He introduced Grace and Mercy with the arrival of His Son, Jesus on the earth. The Old Law (aka the Old Testament) pointed to the New Law of Love (aka the New Testament). I believe that they were both written because of God’s Love expressed in Jesus. I would be very wise to listen and obey the Law of Love. Jesus didn’t just teach the Law of Love, He modeled it. I’m listening more intentionally today and I’m acting upon what I hear from Him.
Pressing On!
Dwayne