OBEDIENCE BRINGS US CLOSER TO GOD!

I am always amused at young students who ask can we do this or that which is usually a way around the rules of the classroom. Sometimes I will answer, “Yes, you can do that but the consequences are…” It is then that they begin to understand WHY they must obey the rules as stated. But we are not like that, are we? Do we look for ways around what God, in His Law and through Jesus, fulfilling that Law, has taught us? Do we say, “I don’t understand, so I will do this?” And worst of all, are we flippant with thoughts of, “Oh well, Jesus will forgive me so I will do this” because we know we will get away with it? There are always consequences. 

As I read through the chapters in Exodus this morning, another, completely different lesson comes to me about God and His Story. God is explicit in every detail when He explains the Law to Moses. He gives every possible circumstance of infraction of the Law that might occur with the resulting consequences. We laboriously read through all of that and wonder how that applies to us! (Check out Exodus 21-24)

Moses then tells the people ALL that God has told him and the people respond readily with, “We will do everything the LORD has told us to do.” (Exodus 24, NTL) Then Moses writes all the regulations down and READS “the Book of the Covenant” to the people. They respond, again with, “We will do everything the LORD has commanded. We will obey.” 

God and His people. He loves them. They love Him back and are willing to obey. This is good! 

THIS is what impresses me this morning. Because of this love and the attitude of obedience from His people, God allows the leaders to come closer to Him! 

OBEDIENCE brings us closer to God’s Presence! Wow!

“Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the leaders of Israel went up the mountain. There they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there seemed to be a pavement of brilliant sapphire, as clear as the heavens. And though Israel’s leaders saw God, he did not destroy them. In fact, they shared a meal together in God’s presence!” Exodus 24, NLT

As we share a meal of THANKSGIVING with our families tomorrow, we will rejoice and be thankful for God who brings us closer and closer to Him as we love, trust and obey Him more and more. Oh, to be standing in God’s Presence! “Standing on the Promises of God, My Savior!” “Trust and Obey, for there’s NO other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to TRUST and OBEY!” Yes, my heart is overflowing with songs of praise for His Presence AND His Promises of “I’ll be with you”! 

Yes, as we share our meals together, may God be Present! That’s what I will be most thankful for…His Presence!

“And He walks with me and He talks with me…and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” (And I’m singing…)

Dear Heavenly Father,
Draw near to us as we love, trust and obey. Thank you.
In Jesus Name, Amen