I love our dog Cocoa. Before we had him I couldn’t understand why people loved their dogs so much. Now I do. We have lots of room for Cocoa to run around. However, he likes to get in the neighbor’s garbage even though he has enough food. So we have to keep him tied most of the time.
God has to limit us because we get into “garbage”:
"If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you." Psalm 81:13-16
At one time, God “spoke” this word to me. I had memorized this passage, and one day while I walking, I suddenly knew this was a message for me. First, I had to think how I was not listening to God. I had been reading a book about obeying your husband, and the only thing that came to mind was that I wasn’t fully obeying my husband in one area.
I thought about who my enemies were, and I couldn’t think of any. However, I purposed to obey God as best I knew.
Within a couple days something completely unexpected happened. Over the new few days and weeks, I realized what a remarkable victory had taken place. My enemies were demonic forces. The being “fed with the finest of wheat” and satisfied with “honey from the rock(Jesus)” was greatly increased and will go on forever. By a simple act of obedience the victory was won.
Another passage that shows the importance of obedience is:
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST. And we will be READY TO PUNISH EVERY ACT OF DISOBEDIENCE, ONCE YOUR OBEDIENCE IS COMPLETE.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-6
Obedience shows faith in Jesus: “obedience that comes from faith.” Romans 1:5 and love for Jesus:
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:23 Great is the reward of obedience.
None of us fully understand our own sinfulness so David laments: “Who can discern his errors?…” Psalm 19:12
We are supposed to “encourage one another daily” because sin is so deceitful: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13
Sin can sneak upon any of us: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12
We would do well to, as Jesus admonished His disciples: "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Matthew 26:41 Mark 14:38
We do not have to sin. Many people keep sinning because they think there is no way out. However, it is encouraging that Jesus has promised:
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
How can we keep from “the sin that so easily entangles”? Hebrews 12:1
Thankfully, King David provides the answer. He first shows us the beauty of God and His Word (Psalm 19:19:1-10)
He then tells us how important the Word is in keeping us from sin and the importance of obedience:
“By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:11
He poses a specific problem and gives the answer by giving a specific example (notice how many Psalms pose a problem and then give the answer):
“…Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:12-14
David has already told us how obedience is so important in keeping us from being entangled in sin. Now he demonstrates another solution by asking God for help.
We can obey what we know. We can pray for and encourage on another and ask each other for help. And we can also pray that God will help keep what we say and what we think pleasing to Him.