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Respite For the Weary
My three previous posts are:
Ask and Accept
Believe and Be Bold
Call on Christ.
Today, it’s Delightfully Do.
Delightfully Do? Synopsis of Genesis 2:16-17 and Genesis 3
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). He also created Adam and Eve and had a sweet personal relationship with them in the perfect garden called Eden. He had made them in His image, and told them to enjoy and cultivate the garden. He also told them they could eat from any of the trees except for one. His reason for this boundary was because he loved them: “You shall not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil or you will surely die.” Sadly, instead of delightfully doing what God decreed, both Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord. Having been tricked by the serpent, they doubted God's word and ate from the tree. As a result, both sin and death entered the world. They were forced to leave the garden, yet not without the promise of a future Redeemer.
Delightfully Do! Synopsis of Genesis 6:5-22; 7:15-17
However, there once was a man named Noah. He loved God, and obeyed Him. Noah was living in a time when the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence… every intent of the thoughts of (mankind’s) heart was only evil continually…And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart…But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. God told Noah to build an arc for himself and his family because He was going to send a great flood to blot out the violence of mankind. Noah, who was human and most likely experienced days of doubt, chose to push that feeling aside and instead do what God asked of him. I wonder, did he "whistle while he worked" to help ignore the mocking around him? Not a bad idea! We do know this: as a result of his active obedience, the arc was built, he and his family entered in, and they and the selected living creatures were safe from the great flood that covered the earth. (*Good news, Noah's arc points to the Jesus' cross. Just as the arc saved them physically, so does our faith in Christ spiritually. Let's enter in!)
When looking at these two contrasting stories from Scripture, here are some questions:
Do I "delightfully do" what God says in His word?
Can I simply trust Him when His commands seem questionable?
What is one thing I can do today, choosing an attitude of "delight" rather than "doubt"?
God said to Adam, “Don’t eat”, because He knew it would bring death. And He said to Noah, “Build a boat”, because He knew it would save his life. God’s words to us are written with the same intent. He loves us and knows what is best for us. He has given us His living word for our protection not our punishment. His ordained boundaries are full of eventual blessings.
Choose to delightfully do even when it’s hard, or I should say, especially when it’s hard. Remember, He has the best in mind for you. Through the power of His abiding Spirit, choose to trust and obey.
I will run the way of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:32
Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors. Psalm 119:24
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God. Philippians 1:27-28
Dear Lord,
We thank you that whatever happens on this earth, good or evil, all believers in Christ have eternal salvation with you. Help us to stand firm "as one man" believing in this promise. You are the Victor over life, over death, over all. Amen.