Deuteronomy 12:32 “”Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.”

PRETTY SIMPLE

Why do we men always think we can assemble any toy or contraption BEFORE we read the instructions?  We have this macho, I-can-do-it mentality that makes us too proud to read the instructions.

I remember back in 1990 or 91 we bought our son, Christopher, one of those Powerwheels.  It was a red jeep with a black top.  It was cool.  It had those big plastic tires.  We just knew he was going to love it.  The problem was it came in a box to be “assembled.”  I was up half the night on Christmas Eve putting that thing together.  After wrestling with it for an hour or so, I finally pulled out the instructions.  There actually was a method to the madness.

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children have to be taught to follow the instructions.  It is still true that we need to be careful to do all the Lord commands.  That’s why we require them to follow our commands and instructions.  We are modeling for them what the Lord requires of them.  If we do not require them to follow our instructions why would we think they would follow God’s?

Too many parents today are so “child focused” that they do not require obedience.  God still does!  When we do not discipline our children and give clear guidelines, we are doing them a disservice.  Of course, our guide to guide them is God’s Word.  And we must also be obedient to Him as a model for our children.

What are you disobeying today?  What are you NOT doing that the Lord has asked you to do?  Are you being careful to follow His commands?  It’s hard sometimes, I know.  We all like to have our own way.  But obedience precedes the joy.

Be obedient today.  Be careful to keep His Word and, thereby, set an example for others.  They are watching!