Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

ORGANIZATIONAL OBEDIENCE

July 8, 2009

Parents know what it's like to get the outward forms of obedience, yet still perceive their child's heart really does not get it; they have yet to obey in their heart and mind.

 So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each of them with their clan and family.
-Numbers 2:34 TNIV

You've just read a very, very rare word in the Bible. "The Israelites did everything the Lord commanded..." Whoa! That's a rare statement. Moses organizes the nation of Israel, and to that, the people obey. Organizational obedience--which is a good thing. Yet, while everything looks good on the surface, they obey, they are organized, the suspicion in their hearts and minds is still a long way from faith, from devotion to the Lord, to that kind of obedience and commitment.

Christ calls us to a resolve, a commitment not simply of appearance, but in the heart. When we pray today, are we giving Christ our hearts and mind, as well as the outward act of devotion?
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson