Daily Family Bible Studies 107
God never commands anything that is not for our good
It’s a serious mistake to think of God’s commandments as unpleasant restrictions that we have to put up with. Instead, we ought to consider that GOD NEVER COMMANDS ANYTHING THAT IS NOT FOR OUR GOOD. God is our Friend. He know us inside out, and He loves us more than we can imagine. He wants the very best for us. And if He has ever asked us to say NO to anything and YES to something else, it is only because He wants us to have the joy that He has. He wants to help us stay away from anything that would interfere with the joy He that created us to experience.
David said, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward” (Psa. 19:7-11).
The trouble we have seeing the goodness in God’s commandments comes from our limited PERSPECTIVE. The only attraction sin has is that it offers pleasure in the SHORT RUN. But if we could see, as God does, the long range consequences of our actions, we would easily realize the wisdom of His way. What we need to do is place our confidence in His perspective (Prov. 3:5,6).
How could we ever doubt the intentions of a God who would give the life of His own Son for us? As Paul asked it, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). Unlike the devil who only SAYS he wants what is good for us, God has given conclusive PROOF that He loves us. Even when outward appearances seem to point the other direction, we can know that following God’s instructions will lead us to good things. In this life, we are walking across a veritable minefield laid by Satan. Let’s have the good sense to TRUST a God who cares enough to say, “Step here” and “Don’t step over there.” In showing us the way, God knows what He is doing. We are smart if we follow His guidance.
Monday: Psalm 119:9-16,97-104
Key Idea: We should love God’s laws, even when we are young.
Questions for Family Growth: Why is it so hard when we are young to see the wisdom and goodness of God’s ways? What are some temptations that are especially strong when we are young? Does God know what it’s like to be young?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 6:20-29.
Tuesday: Galatians 6:7-10
Key Idea: If we disobey God, we will be disappointed in the results that we get.
Questions for Family Growth: When we disobey God, do things always work out as we think they will? What did Paul say about “sowing” and “reaping”? What do you think it means that “the way of the unfaithful is hard” (Prov. 13:15).
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 6:30-35.
Wednesday: Genesis 22:1-19
Key Idea: Faith means trusting that God will work everything out for good.
Questions for Family Growth: Do you think God’s commands made sense to Abraham? Why did he go ahead and obey God anyway? Hb. 11:17,18 says that it was “by faith” that Abraham offered up Isaac. What does this mean?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 7:1-5.
Thursday: Philippians 3:7-11
Key Idea: Whenever we have to say no to anything, God has something better for us.
Questions for Family Growth: Why did Paul say he was willing to give up all the things that he gave up in order to be a Christian? What are some things we might have to sacrifice today in order to be a Christian?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 7:6-27.
Friday: 1 Peter 3:8-12
Key Idea: Obeying God is the way to see “good days.”
Questions for Family Growth: When do we get the full and final reward for obeying God? According to 1 Tim. 4:8, what two things does godliness have the “promise” of? Does the Christian have to choose between having fun now and going to heaven later?
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 8:1-11.
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com
