Follow the Instructions

If you know me very well, which all eleven of those who are following my blog probably do, you know that I am one who follows rules. I drive the speed limit, I do not enter when it says "do not enter". When there are instructions I follow them. It is a blessing and curse. The blessing is I am following the rule or law. And I have no fear of prosecution. The curse may be that I am not spontaneous. It might be that I don't get out of the box very often or live life on the "wild" side. I am not a big risk taker. Again, this can all be good and bad, depending on your perspective.

There is one set of rules, laws, precepts, statues, words that I know are to be followed. Any guesses? I see that hand and you are right...God's word, laws, precepts and statues. His instructions are always perfect and right.

I have been reading and doing some studying on the book of Joshua. There is so much to this book and so many lessons to be learned that I will only focus on one of them for now. God gave Joshua specific instructions on how he and the Israelites were to take the city of Jericho. God said to take seven priest with seven trumpets of ram's horns along with the Ark of the Covenant and the fighting men and march around the city once each day for six days. On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times. At the completion of the seventh time around the trumpets were to sound and all the people were to shout and the walls would come down.

What we read in Joshua chapter 6 is that Joshua and the Israelites did exactly as God had instructed. In the book of Hebrews 11:30 it states "By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people marched around them for seven days". The people followed the instructions that God had given and their faith in God, the giver of the instructions, brought about the victory they received. Jericho was delivered into the hands of the Israelites.

What would have happened if they had taken one day off to rest? What if on the seventh day they only marched around the city five times instead of seven? We all know that God's word is to be followed and obeyed. We all know the blessing that comes through obedience to His word.

One of my favorite passages is found in Psalm 19:7-11. When you can, please look at that passage. Verse 11 sums it all up; "By them (laws, statues, precepts, commands, ordinances) is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."

God's word is to be followed and obeyed. But this must flow out of relationship and not out of obligation or guilt. God knows best and again, His way is perfect. Trust Him and do things His way and then reap the benefit of obedience.