When will we figure this out?

It has not been too long ago that I wrote about a discovery in my preparation for a message involving Noah and the flood. The discovery was of Noah’s obedience. It is stated three times (6:22; 7:5, 9), “He did everything that God had commanded him.” Gen 6:22.

What would happen if we just did what we were told? Children on my bus would not be in trouble. People can’t be hit in the eye if hands stay in laps. It just doesn’t happen. You are not a liar if you don’t lie. You are not a thief if you don’t steal. When will we figure that out?

You won’t get a ticket if you don’t speed. It seems so simple and common sense yet…Just this week we saw a media frenzy where following directions from authorities early on would have de-energized a situation and the consequences. But no, we can’t do that. We haven’t figured that out yet.

Yes, this is a box I’m on. Recently the former chief Supreme Court justice for Georgia spoke in Savannah. In her interview on a local station she said if a child completes high school, marries before having babies there is a 95% likely hood that they will never experience poverty. How about that it is not just a moral issue but one of economics. Simple it seems yet how many do just that? When will we figure that out?

In faith circles we have the same problems. Sure we want the blessings of God, the wisdom of God and the presence of God but we fail to be grateful, we fail to read His word and everything else is more important than spending time with him. Then we wonder why our religion seems so shallow? We didn’t follow God’s direction before but we want him to clean up the mess now! The history of Israel is one where they did as God commanded and then they did not as God commanded. They were always surprised at what happened to them when they disobeyed God. Just like us when we do wrong. It happens when we skip some of the steps in the directions as we are assembling an item. We end up with twice the work taking it apart and reassembling it correctly.

It is so funny when I realize I could have prevented the problem I have by doing what I knew to do earlier. I chose not to for what seemed like very good reasons yet they were all excuses to do what I wanted and not what needed to be done. When will I figure this out? Paul writes of the nature of this struggle.

21 So I discover this principle: When I want to do what is good, evil is with me. 22 For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God’s law. 23 But I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:21-25 HCSB

Paul always makes me feel better because he always points me to Jesus. Jesus did everything God commanded him. I should too.

Bro G