That it May Go Well with You

You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.

Deuteronomy 5:33

Sometimes I forget that God is good. Especially when I read commands from God that I disagree with or am particularly bad at following, I forget that He intends good for me. Sometimes, my soul revolts at the idea of being told what to do, even by my King. Sometimes my soul is discouraged at reading commands that I know I should be doing, but cannot seem to overcome. And sometimes my soul is wearied at the idea of fighting to follow those commands.

After all, it is a fight. Some things not so much. I personally don't have to try very hard to restrain myself from murdering another person, or stealing, or being unfaithful to my husband. On the other hand, coveting -- desiring things that I don't have but others do -- that is something like a dragon in my heart. If I am to obey that command, I must don battle armor every second of every day to face the roaring fire of the dragon's mouth to keep him from destroying my soul. Sometimes that doesn't seem worth it.

But God gave us commandments that we might live, that we might live well, and that we might live long in the land of light that He has given us. Is it for His sake that He commands us to have no other gods before Him? Why does He need our praise? No, it is for our sake, for there is no other god to worship who will protect us, provide for us, and fill us with such light that we overflow with joy and peace and love as if the sun itself were burning in our hearts.

Is it for His sake that He commands us to rest one day of every week? Does He get some kind of egotistical satisfaction when we obey and restrain ourselves from one day of doing laundry or dishes or deadlines? How dare He make us REST! How dare He command us to enjoy our lives with our friends and family and the One who has pursued our soul to the depths of hell. Is it for His sake?

Sometimes it's harder than these to understand how it could be for our good that God would give us certain commands, but I have never found it to be untrue. Never have I seen a time where someone disobeyed God and it worked out for them, and never have I seen obedience from the heart -- a willing, humble submission to the wisdom of the I AM -- lead to anything but good.