God's commands: Burden or Blessing?

Many many people both within and outside the faith look at God's commandments as burdensome.

Put bluntly, they're looking at them incorrectly.

You see, we have this worldly understanding of the word command that bites at us. We don't like to be told what to do, so we tend to fight back, or worse, we do it begrudgingly.  This is because we believe we know better, that we know what's best for us.

But try to remember back to when you were a toddler, and your parents said "no".  Many of us were quite angry at hearing it. But hopefully over time we learned that our parents knew better than us, and that they had and have our best interest at heart. Unfortunately, many had a different type of experience, where perhaps their parents didn't know better.  This is just another example of how flawed we are as people, even as parents.

But God isn't flawed.  He's perfect. He's a good good Father. Now, it's up to you whether you believe that or not, but it is 100% true. And once you absorb this truth into your heart, you'll realize quite clearly that his commands are not burdensome. On the contrary, they are the greatest blessings of your life. They are what will make you into the man or woman you were created to be. The best you.

God loves you, and wants the best for you. He is infinitely wise. He created you. And he created you for a purpose ... and he can guide you to if you let him.

Let Him.

Your statutes are wonderful, therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word, let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees.
Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
Psalm 119:129-136

Look at a banana ...

I'm here on my back porch ... early morning time with God to read his word ... and I'm starting the day with a cup of coffee and a banana.

And I just took a moment to really think about something so simple as a banana ... something we take for granted because it is so commonplace.

But it's pretty miraculous, and is yet another indication the God is good, God is real, that He loves us, and that He is an incredible architect and engineer.

Think about the banana for a sec:
○ It's perfectly engineered, with simplicity and elegance.
○ It is easily manageable and accessible by us and the animal kingdom.
○ It is aesthetically pleasing, with a nice color and texture.
○ It is nutritious.  It is good for us.
○ And it is absolutely delicious! Heck, my favorite candy is banana flavored!

God help me to never be lured in by the silly, basic theories and "educated guesses" of this world about how this all came to be. Let me simply rest in the fact that You are sovereign, that You are the Great Creator, Architect, and Engineer of all of this. 

I am weak, and can be easily swayed. I need Your help. Let me simply rest on Your wisdom, Your logic, and Your reason, and not on the ever-changing sands of this world's thoughts and perspectives. I ask this in Jesus' heavenly and precious and beautiful name. Amen.