Lent Day 5: For your own good

Now if you faithfully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all His commands I am giving you today, the Lord your God will put you far above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come and overtake you, because you obey the Lord your God:
You will be blessed in the city 

and blessed in the country.
Your descendants[ will be blessed, 

and your land’s produce,
and the offspring of your livestock, 

including the young of your herds
and the newborn of your flocks.
Your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed.
You will be blessed when you come in
and blessed when you go out.


All of us want blessings and a good life. Our parents told us things we didn't want to hear or disciplined us when we didn't want to be restrained ... and said it was "for your own good!"

Similarly, God has given us principles to align creature with Creator: some basic rules are the Ten Commandments, which include - 
  • Take God's name seriously (don't profane it, because He is ultimately apart from his creatures or holy).
  • Don't lie (God is truth)
  • Don't commit adultery (faithfulness is His nature and protects us from harm)
  • Don't covet (everything comes from God; contentment promotes harmony for individuals and communities)
Etc. Jesus said the Law could be summed up in two sentences: "Love God. Love your neighbor as yourself."

God promises many blessings to those who obey Him. The law is not magic that make human difficulties disappear, but it keeps us from many troubles and harm of our own making.

A few questions as a reality check:
  • What parts of God's law am I willing to obey with all my heart?
  • What things that are "right" am I avoiding or doing half-heartedly?
  • Why? What changes do I need to make as I ask God for his blessings?

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