For Our Good Always

Scripture:  When your son asks you in time to come, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies and the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you?' then you shall say to your son, 'We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt. And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. And the Lord showed signs and wonders, great and grievous, against Egypt and against Pharaoh and all his household, before our eyes. And he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in and give us the land that he swore to give to our fathers. And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day.' Deuteronomy 6:20-24

Observation: In explaining how to answer children who ask "what is the meaning of the rules and statutes", God reviews the Exodus, but then gets to the point ... the Lord commands us to obey his statutes and to fear him for our good always.

These three words - our good always - are HUGE!

Our: The commandments aren't for God, they are for us. We don't obey to improve God, we obey to improve ourselves. We observe the commandments as a way to better and improve our lives and our conditions, which includes eternal life, but also includes benefits in this world.

Good: The commandments are meant for good in all ways, and not for bad. They never harm, they never injure, they never produce evil. Observing the commandments only produces good.

Always: The commandments are timeless. They did not apply just to the Israelites in the desert, or to the nation of Israel only, or to the ancient church - they will deliver good to all people, all the time, and for all time.

Application: Is there any chance I could explain this concept to someone who hates the commandments? The commandments are at the core of disbelief in God. As society distances itself from God, they have changed from being obvious moral law, to eventually fading into shades of gray, to being completely cast aside by many. When those who have cast God aside and abandon his commands still have "good lives" - and some who live in opposition to the commands believe their lives are better as direct result of that opposition - how do we explain that the commands always provide good to them?

I honestly don't know.

Prayer: Lord, guide me in my work this week. May I be a light in the dark corners, and an example of hope to those who struggle. Help me to change lives, whether that be through kindness, understanding and support, or a discussion about the law for which I don't now have the words. Amen.