Tag Archives: obey

Do You Have a Heart for God?

Posted on by

When the Lord brought the children of Israel to the Promised Land, Moses reminded them of their commitments to Him before they crossed over to inhabit the land.  The Israelites had agreed to keep the Lord’s commandments and reaffirmed that promise.

Deuteronomy 5:27 Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.

The Lord, Who knew their hearts, expressed His desire that they would indeed have a heart for Him to do all that they had committed.

Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

God knew that His way was best.  His desire was that the Israelites experience the best He had to offer (“that it might be well with them”).  The blessings they could experience would pass on to their posterity as well (“and with their children for ever”).  However, He knew that their heart was not in the right place.  As history shows, they would disobey Him and receive just recompense for their sin.

The same is true with us.  God created life and He knows how life is best lived.  Why do we not trust Him in this?  God loves us as a parent loves his child.  He wants the best for us, but like wayward children, we all to often refuse to give up our own selfish desires.  We need to have a heart for God and obey Him.  Then we can expect His blessing upon our lives.

Don’t Be a Prating Fool

Posted on by

Proverbs 10:8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

The truth of this verse plays itself out over and over again in daily life.  As is common in Hebrew poetry, the first part of the verse stands in contrast to the last part.

If a person is wise then they will receive commandments.  “Receive” should be understood as “listen” or “obey”.  It doesn’t mean that a person will get more rules to follow, but rather it means that he/she is receptive to instruction. Continue reading →

Is Truth Dead?

Posted on by

Jeremiah 7:28

But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.

Jeremiah lived in a dark day in Judah’s history.  He faithfully preached God’s message to the people, but they did not listen.  The verse above is part of Jehovah’s assessment of them.  They did not obey or even accept correction for their evil ways.  God then states that “truth is perished”.

When we turn away from God’s truth, it becomes dead (ineffective) to us.  It has, in effect, perished in our lives.  Christians need to guard against this and accept the truth that God has revealed through His Word.  We must not let the cares of life, our culture, or anything turn us away from God’s message.  When truth dies in our life, our fellowship with God goes with it.  When we follow His precepts and wisdom, we can have a vibrant spiritual life as we obediently live for Him.