To Obey is to Love

"So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left." –Deuteronomy 5:32

There's an old hymn that I just love called "Trust & Obey." The first verse says, "When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

Obeying? Commands? Nobody likes to be bossed around. Fortunately, God isn't a God who looks down from heaven pointing His finger, barking orders, and making us feel trapped. No way! God is all-loving and His commands aren't meant to be burdensome. In fact they're meant to lift our burdens! The second verse of that hymn states "We never can prove the delights of His love until all on the altar we lay; for the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows are for them who will trust and obey." Until we surrender, we're unable to see God for who He truly is—The Delighter! God delights in giving us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). His love isn't self-seeking but self-less. Remember, He's the One who created us so He knows what we long for.

After hundreds of years, the Israelites were finally free from slavery in Egypt and were headed for the Promised Land; but they needed to know God's direction for their daily life. Moses led the Israelites to Mount Sinai where God gave them direction in the form of the Ten Commandments. The first four commands talk about how we should love God. The next six talk about how we should love others. When we take a look at God's direction for our lives it is summed up in two areas:love God and love others.

This weekend the children will see that obedience to God displays our love for Him (John 14:15), sows blessings (Galatians 6:9), and brings our life dreams to fruition (Jeremiah 29:11). His commands are not difficult but it's only through a relationship with Jesus Christ that they are reachable, and understandable (Matthew 11:29-30). With Jesus living in us, we're able to truly love God and love others.

What is your attitude towards God? Are you willing to obey? Do you truly believe that He has your best interests in mind? The last verse of that old hymn says, "Then, in fellowship sweet, we will sit at His feet or we'll walk by His side in the way; What He says, we will do; where He sends, we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey. Trust and obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."