"More Than a Game"

“More Than a Game”

This past Labor Day weekend Karen and I traveled to New Hampshire to renew fellowship with many friends from our twenty years of ministry in Manchester. We greatly enjoyed spending time with those we’d known and worked with during those two decades. The only problem was that most of the get-togethers involved eating so we had to address several unwanted and unneeded pounds we had somehow acquired when we got home.

While we were there we attended church with our host couple. A new pastor had arrived just a few weeks before so the people were excited about the future. During the “children’s sermon” the pastor played the old game “Simon Says….” with the “Church of Tomorrow” gathered at the front of the auditorium. When he gave a command without prefacing it with “Simon says” one child followed what he said and was disqualified. The pastor then stressed the importance of carefully listening to and obeying God’s voice as found in Scripture.

As I’ve thought about the message given to the children that day it hit me that obedience to God and His Word is much more than a game—it’s to be a practice of my life with Him. In Psalm 119 (someone has called it “The Guide to Right Living”) the writer promises to obey the Word 16 times (e.g. “I will always obey your law, for ever and ever.”—Verse 44; “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”—Verse 60). Apparently the author recognized his obligation to heed God’s directives—I’d do well to follow his example.

Why does God tell us to obey? Does He want to curtail our freedom or make things difficult? Not in any way (“…his commands are not burdensome….”—1 John 5:3)—He wants His best for us and the best way to achieve it is to do what He says (“Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever.”—Deuteronomy 5:29). In addition, we’re told “…We have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.” (1 John 3:21-22)

Every biblical directive boils down to a basic question: Will I obey? It’s my choice (and yours too). My/our response will bring blessings or consequences (“A {person} reaps what {is sown}.”—Galatians 6:7). May I say with the psalmist, “Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” (Psalm 119:34).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan