Year of Exposure Day 19: Obeying the word of God can save you from destruction.

“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word. I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us. I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches. I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭9‬-‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Lord chose out Abraham through which He would make His own special people. And we know that through this covenant with Abraham, came Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

Early on and repeatedly in the Lord‘s dealings with His own special people—now called after the name of Israel—He pressed the inescapable truth that they must heed His word.

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Indeed, the Lord promised that if Israel heeded His word, they would be set above all nations. And not only that, other nations would see how wonderfully they fared and be in awe of them.

“Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, obedience to God’s word, would bring blessings upon His people: prosperity, protection, and position. But again, ONLY as they heeded His word.

“If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, stresses that those who would become children of God, partakers of the Kingdom of God, must be obedient to His word.

In fact, the Lord references the crucial nature of obeying His word, five times in one discourse with His disciples!

“If you love me, obey my commandments. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬, ‭21‬, ‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. You are my friends if you do what I command.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬, ‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the parable of the sower, Jesus illustrated the importance of clinging to His word as being the only way to be fruitful.

“Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭8‬, ‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our opening scripture we see the psalmist singing the praises of God‘s word. He expresses the vital nature of the word of God’s ability to keep us on the path of righteousness and out of trouble.

Friend, heeding the word of God, is crucial in terms of our relationship with Him. And, not heeding His word, leads to destruction.

Lord willing, we’ll talk more about this next time.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!