It's Easier to Just Follow the Rules

Read

Psalm 119:44-48
⁴⁴I will always keep your Instruction,
always and forever!
⁴⁵I will walk around in wide-open spaces,
because I have pursued your precepts.
⁴⁶I will talk about your laws
before rulers with no shame whatsoever.
⁴⁷I will rejoice in your commandments
because I love them.
⁴⁸I will lift up my hands
to your commandments
because i love them,
and I will contemplate all your statutes.

Reflect

What's with all the rules? Just open the Bible. There's this law and those commandments and that decree. It seems like a lot of rules.

People who don't know God often misunderstand the intent of all this. Sometimes people think God is being overbearing--giving us a long list of rules that are impossible to follow and only serve to make our lives difficult.

In fact, the opposite is true. God didn't give us these rules to trip us up and then condemn us. Instead, these rules are here because God loves us and wants our lives to be as good as they can be.

For example, one of the Ten Commandments is to not tell lies. What happens when we tell a lie? Usually we end up having to tell another lie to support the first one. Often, somebody will call us on it because our lie doesn't make total sense, so we have to invent yet another lie to continue to support our false story. Meanwhile, some people know the truth. In our heads, we have to remember who knows what and somehow try to keep the people who know the truth from comparing notes with the people who you told the lies to. This, of course, causes you a lot of stress. And ultimately the whole thing comes apart and crashes down on your head. The people you lied to are hurt and your credibility suffers--nobody trust you as much as they used to.

Wouldn't it have been easier to follow God's rule in the first place? All of God's laws are like this--given lovingly for the betterment of our lives.

Respond

In John 14:21, Jesus says, "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them loves me." When we obey God, we not only honor God, but we benefit ourselves.

Relate

If today's devotion spoke to you in a particular way and you feel led to share your thoughts with others, please do so.