Complying with Inaction

Scripture: They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them, "Do not do as they do." 2 Kings 17:15

Observation: This is the epitaph of the northern kingdom of Israel ... they became worthless. This was obviously building for a very long time, but in the end in just happens with a bit of a whimper as the Assyrian king - to whom they were already subject - takes over the region and exiles the people. The author reviews the acts of the people of Israel that led to this punishment, and it all comes back to just one thing, which is worshiping other gods.

There is an issue of non-compliance with the commands of God that can seem troubling when one views those commands as orders. However, most of the commands are not such, but rather they are warnings about doing things that actually cause issues in our lives. Even "worship no other god" isn't a call to action, but rather just a call to not doing something else. This is the one thing Israel couldn't do ... it couldn't not worship other gods.

There were a lot of things Israel should have done. There was really one important thing they were commanded not to do. They did it, and Judah is next.

Application: Complying with God's desires for my life really comes down to this one idea, which is to not do things that are bad for me and for others. In this, I can then fill my time with good things, such as prayer, meditating on the word, and kind acts toward others.

Why is this SO hard for all of us? It must be again a matter of pride, or at least a willful act to do as we please regardless of known consequences, be they supernatural or just simply the likely outcomes of the world.

Obedience toward God begins by not doing the things God would not have me do. With that understood, doing good in the world and loving others seems like something that would simply fill the time in life.

As a people - be that defined as my family, my extended friends, my church, my region, my country, the universal Church, or mankind - this is the lesson we must learn, or else we will become worthless go the Lord. This is the one condition I never wish for.

Prayer: Lord, may I bring some value, however small it may be, to your kingdom this day and every day. In this, I desire to avoid those things that you would not have me do, and those thoughts you would not have me entertain. I again ask for your help, as I am mortal and weak in the flesh. Amen.