28/09/2020
The benefits of Keeping God's commandments
Text: Proverbs 7:1-3
God is principled. He does nothing without creating a guideline or structure. And everyone who lives by these guidelines always have a reward, like those who do not, a consequence.
A commandment is God's divine rule that gives direction for human conduct and relationship with Him.
God's commandments must be obeyed; failure to obey attracts consequences.
Part of God's commandments are coded in the ten (10) commandments which Moses received from God for Israel at Mount Sinai. Exodus 20:1-17, Deut 5:6-21.
Our Lord Jesus also gave commandments which are summed up in the expression, "Love the Lord your God with all your life and love your neighbour as yourself."
Benefits of keeping God's commandments.
1. God shows mercy on all who keep His commandments. And this is not just pardon from sin, but a life of protection, favour and graces beyond comprehension. (Exodus 20:6, Deut. 5:10)
2. Surplus provisions. (Leviticus 26:5)
God asked the Israelites if they lacked anything in the wilderness when they were travelling.
It was so great their clothes didn't get turn, neither did anyone grow out of his shoes. Such an amazing thing.
3. Peace in the land and in the heart. (Leviticus 26:6)
People who stay within the confines of God never fret over anything. There is always peace like a river in their hearts.
4. Victory over your enemies (Leviticus 26 7-8). This is a birthright to all who obey God. Remember the Israelites? They could not be defeated while they stayed in God's guidelines.
5. Increase on every side (Leviticus 26:9). Just like Isaac experienced and lots of other folks in the scriptures, there is increase for everyone who obeys God.
He said He teaches us how to make wealth, only those who stay with Him ever get to learn it.
6. Answers to prayer (Psalm. 91:15). The scriptures say that God is always attentive to our cries. He is not deaf and the cry of the righteous is not an abomination to Him.
People who stay with God enjoy the awesomeness of being heard, every time they call.
7. Hope of eternity with God (Psalm 101:6). We know that we all are eternal beings, which means after death there is a life. And that life has no end.
However, only those who obey God will spend this life with Him and in that life to come, they will always be in His presence. Such splendor.
8. Length of days
(Prov. 3:1-2). Long life is our portion, for all of us that will obey God.