“This thing I commanded them, saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you” (Jer. 7:2323But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. (Jeremiah 7:23)).
A young son of a missionary couple in Zaire was playing in the yard. Suddenly the stern, urgent voice of the boy’s father rang out from the porch, “Philip, obey me instantly! Drop to your stomach!”
Immediately the youngster did as his father commanded. Again another urgent command: “Now crawl toward me as fast as you can!” The boy obeyed.
Yet once more came a sharp command: “Now, stand up and run to me!”
The boy responded immediately, running to his father’s arms. As the youngster turned back to look at the tree where he had been playing, he saw, hanging from its branches, a large, deadly snake! He realized that his father’s stern commands were not issued out of cruelty, but rather out of concern for his safety.
God’s commands to the Israelites were given for the same reasons. He wanted the best for them. He assured them through the prophet Jeremiah that His purpose in requiring obedience from them was “that it may be well [with] you.” His intent for the people of Israel was that they might enjoy a happy relationship with Him and, at the same time, avoid the sin that was destroying the nations around them.
God desires to control the lives of His children—not merely for the sake of ruling but because He longs that we might enjoy His best. He wants us to have a life that glorifies His beloved Son one that is a fulfilling, purposeful and meaningful life. He has given us His precious Word that we might have joy, not misery (John 13:1717If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (John 13:17); 2 Tim. 3:1616All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)). In His infinite wisdom, the Lord knows what will make each of His children happy, not just for today, but for all of eternity. Let us, rather than resisting His Word and His ways of love, embrace all that He asks, “that it may be well [for] you.”
Obedience is not just good for us who belong to Christ it’s best for us!
Adapted from a note