04/18/2019
Do we obey God to the letter, or do we take His commandments and rationalize them, or apply our own judgement to them? Do we use our own logic in determining that we should obey Him in one circumstance but not in another? If so then, although we try to convince ourselves to the contrary, we are placing ourselves above God. The little things, or uncomfortable ones, can be our undoing. Obey God in all things and always.
“And she said, "According to your words, so be it." Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.”
Joshua 2:21 ESV
When Jericho was about to fall, and the walls were about to be toppled by God
Rahab helped the spies and was told to tie a scarlet cord in the window as a sign so that her house would be spared... even though it was a part of the wall itself. This seems like a little thing to do, but it would be the difference between life and death, and she was spared by adhering to this instruction.
“And she said, "According to your words, so be it." Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window.”
Joshua 2:21 ESV
The Angel told Joshua how to defeat Jericho, and that the promise to Rahab would be honored, and that her household would be spared because she had helped the spies. She was spared because of the help she rendered, but she was only spared by tying the chord in her window; she had done exactly what she was told to do.
“And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.”
Joshua 6:17 ESV
Do we pay attention to the details as well? Do we follow God’s instruction to the letter? I drive by a beautiful little brick church each morning as I approach my office. It looks so out of place sitting alongside a busy road in a rough commercial area, and I always wonder how it came to be built there, but the past few weeks it has displayed a message on its brick sign by the street that causes me to take pause in my busy workday to contemplate Jesus and His teaching. The sign reads this way... “Love thy neighbor as thyself - No Exceptions”
This message convicts me in my faith. There have been times when I have loved all my neighbors, with the exception of one that I deemed unlovable. I was not adhering in its entirety to what Jesus had commanded, and in doing this I was not worthy of receiving the reward as it was promised, nor was I behaving as a son of the most high. Is there someone in your life that you except from the instruction of Jesus? Perhaps it is someone you think is unlovable, or maybe just someone that you just ignored because you didn’t have the time or energy for them? This is an act, or an oversight, that can undo you. It is the cord that wasn’t tied in the window.
“"If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”
Luke 6:32-35 ESV
So pay attention to the details of God’s Word, and do the hard things, and endure the dirty details that put blisters on our hands, and callouses on our feet. These things strengthen us in our character and faith so that we will be prepared to do the truly hard things of God’s will. Do you want to be spared? Do you want to receive great reward and be known as a child of God? Well, then you must not only help the spies, and love those who love you, but you must tie the scarlet cord in the window, and love those who you find distasteful to love.
Prayer:
Thank you Father for your commandments that I abide by, but most of all Holy Father, I thank you for the little things, and hard details, that seal your promise. You give me the fullness of your promise and will in your Word Heavenly Father, but sometimes I find it hard to remove the seal from its cover, and I miss out on the promise inside. Help me Lord to adhere to your instructions to me, and give me the strength to withstand my human desire to rationalize your commandments in an attempt to do only my will, and not the completeness of yours. You expect my obedience father, but not a partial adherence, but perfect obedience in all the details. Your Word is either followed or it is not; it is either done, or undone... help me Jesus to be perfect in my obedience. Help me Holy Spirit to see the details of God’s Word. Merciful Father perfect me. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who sees the great and the small equally through your eyes. Praised be you who not only loved the unblemished Adam, but loved us enough to send Jesus to die for us while we were yet sinners. Let your love bring all glory to you Father, and may my obedience please you, and cause you to smile upon me. In you I find my strength, my obedience, my character, and my faith. Great are you in mercy and grace always, and forevermore.
“And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:47-48 ESV
Rich Forbes