February 6: Of Commandments, Free Will, Mountain Roads and Ravines

Exodus 23:14-25:40

Matthew 24:29-51

Psalm 30:1-12

Proverbs 7:24-27

Reading Exodus verses 20-30, I started thinking about commandments.  The thing about commandments that I didn't realize until today is this: they presume free will, the ability to choose NOT to follow them.  God actually gives us that choice.

It's kinda like driving on a narrow road in the mountains.  We can choose not to follow the rules of the road, but then we might wind up unidentifiable carcasses in a flaming vehicle after a hundred foot drop down a ravine.  But if we choose to follow the rules of the road, to keep our eyes on the road and the front part of the car between the centerline on the left and the railing on the right, we get to the destination.  

Similarly, and even better, in fact, when we choose to follow His instructions, good things happen.  He fights our enemies.  He blesses our food and water, takes away our sickness, gives us full life spans.  He even clears our way gradually, chasing out our enemies little by little so the land we take over isn't overrun by other things we would then have to deal with.  Pretty amazing what happens when we choose Him.  We get to the promised land.  

So why, then, is it so easy, so automatic for us to follow the rules of the road, but so difficult to obey the Lord as consistently, as easily?  (I know why that is true in my case.  I pray you aren't as stubborn.)

Father, You gave us free will.  Teach us, and help us, to want to make the right choices.  To choose to obey You, even when we don't understand, or when Your commands are difficult - like when You ask for our gold and silver, or have us carve an ark of acacia wood and cover it with pure gold. Help us to be the "faithful and wise servant" whom You will find doing what You want always.