Harvest Daily - July 19, 2005 - Encouragement for Today Daily Devotional from Proverbs 31

July 19

Encouragement for Today

“A Rule Change”

Wendy Pope, Director of Development, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member

Key Verse:

John 14:10, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (KJV)

Devotion:

We had waited so long. It seemed as if we went every other day to see if he met the requirement. The weeks passed slowly, patiently he waited. Then it happened. Two weeks before the pool closed for the summer, my son finally met the height requirement allowing him to slide down the big slides. His shouts echoed throughout the pool deck, "Mom, I am finally big enough. I am big enough." I was so happy for him. This was a big day for him, one we would not forget. In the spring, right before the pool opened again for the summer, we experienced another day we would never forget, as we received word the height requirement had changed.

With the rule change my son was, once again, "not big enough." I made a call to the Director of the Aquatic Center to get more information about the rule change. Plain and simple: the rule change was necessary for the protection and safety of the pool members. I understood the reason for the rule change, but was still upset – and most of all disappointed – for my little boy who thought he was finally "big enough."

The Lord used this situation to remind me of the importance of His commandments. He prompted me to refresh myself with His commandments. As I did, I realized that, like the change in the slide rule at the pool, God's commandments are necessary for the protection of His children. The commandments were not meant to keep us from having fun and enjoying God's creation, but to give us boundaries that keep us from harm and becoming involved in things that would harm us. This fresh look at the Ten Commandments made me praise Him for His consistency and for never "changing the rules." Refresh yourself with God's commandments (Deut. 5:6-21, NIV):

You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol.
You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.
Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Honor your Father and Mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not give false testimony.
You shall not covet.

I was reminded as I typed this devotion of God's precious grace. We all fall short of the glory of God. Maybe you are reading these commandments and are feeling convicted. Maybe you are reading these commandments and are feeling unworthy. If so, accept God's free gift of forgiveness and live in that forgiveness each day of your life. Not one is worthy, but through His grace and mercy we shall become the righteousness of God.

My Prayer for Today:

Lord, I acknowledge that I fail to obey Your commandments like I should. I need to experience Your healing peace today for my transgressions. Help me to accept Your forgiveness and move past my sin to enjoy this life you have given me. Thank You for not ever changing. I praise You because You are the same now and forever. Amen.

Application Steps:

Reread the commandments. Choose 2 that are particularly challenging for you. Write them down. Write a prayer, confessing why obeying these commandments are difficult for you and ask Him to help you obey them.

Reflection Points:

How do I really feel about the 10 commandments?

Does my life reflect obedience to God?

Do others know I am a Christian by the way I act?

Power Verses:

2 Corinthians 5:21, "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (NIV)

1 John 5:3, "This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome for everyone born of God overcomes the world." (NIV)

Psalm 32:1, "Blessed is the man whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." (NIV)

Additional Resources:

Do You Know Him?

http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/knowHim.htm

A Woman’s Secret to a Balanced Life, by Lysa TerKeurst and Sharon Jaynes