Precious Obedience

Read Proverbs 7

Obey my commands and live! Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes. Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

Proverbs 7:2-3

Many people look at the Bible as a long list of dos and don’ts. They think that God gives all kinds of laws in order to keep people from having any fun or pleasure in life. They might look at these verses and say, “See? All God wants is for people to obey!”

But they have it wrong. Yes, God does command obedience, but not because he is some tyrant who needs to have people be subject to his every whim. Instead, God requires obedience because he knows that obedience is best for us. Obedience to God’s laws helps us to live life to all its fullness—protected from foolish mistakes and able to make wise choices. That’s why the writer tells us to guard these teachings like precious possessions, tied on our fingers, written in our hearts so we can never forget.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Love precedes real obedience.

Today, Lord, help me to remember your commands so that I might truly live for you.