let’s all do whatever works for us. Then we’ll all be happy.
Or not.
"In those days Israel had no king: everyone did as they saw fit". Judges 21:25. This is how the book of Judges ends. It may sound good until we scan back a couple of chapters and realize what they thought was ‘fit’ to do.
Family members were stealing from each other. They obviously thought this was an ok thing to do.
Family members were kidnapping each other. They thought this was ok as well.
Family members were killing each other to the point that they virtually annihilated one of the 12 tribes of Israel. I wonder how they could possibly think this was ok but they did. They could rationalize anything. Their moral judgement was quickly spirally into total chaos and confusion.
Because they had no compass.
Sounds familiar? Our current culture has many of these same issues. Why?
When I base what is right and wrong on what I think, I’m in trouble. Then I’m just like these Israelites – doing what I see fit and letting my standards waiver in whatever direction the wind is blowing.
God has been very clear to you and me on moral boundaries. His Word to us is full of direction and guidance. I might not like all of it. You may not agree with all of it. But that doesn’t change his Word to us.
This picture of the Umbrella of God’s Blessing is stuck my head and reminds me that one of my main goals in life is to stay in line with God. When I obey God and follow the compass he has given me, I am placing my life under his umbrella of blessing. When I don’t obey God and just do what I want to do, I am stepping out from under his umbrella. I can’t expect God to bless my decisions and life when I’m not obeying him.
One example is tithing. If we have put our faith in God, we also want to put our money in his hands. This means tithing. We can’t expect God to bless our finances if we steal for ourselves his portion of all he gives us.
It’s my choice and I choose to stay under the umbrella – every hour of every day.
What do you choose?
Dear Father, I desire to walk in your path of truth. Please guide me so that your moral standards are what ‘fits’ me best.
Judy