“But the people of Israel rebelled against me, and they refused to obey my decrees there in the wilderness. They wouldn’t obey my regulations even though obedience would have given them life. They also violated my Sabbath days. So I threatened to pour out my fury on them, and I made plans to utterly consume them in the wilderness.” 20:13

…even though obedience would have given them life. Isn’t that interesting? We’re so quick to link obedience with oppression, but obeying God is life-giving, not life-taking. What might seem like a wagging finger and a short leash is actually a protective and loving God. The deeper I get into parenting and the older my children get, the easier this is for me to understand. My preschooler sighs heavily when I remind him, yet again, that no, he can’t play in the street. Yes, he has to rest during the day. No, he can’t eat whatever he wants when he wants it. Yes, he has to obey me even when he doesn’t understand why. I’m not trying to oppress him, I’m trying to give him more life. Protect him. Keep him healthy. Raise him to be a good adult. I need him to trust us that we want what’s best for him and our regulations are out of love and guidance.

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Where do you feel like God is trying to control you? What parts of Scripture cause your pride to rear it’s head? Where do you push back on God?

Acknowledge these areas, cast some light on them. Look to Scripture. If you trust God, take time to think how these things might be giving you life.

-Carly