If you follow my statutes and faithfully observe my commands, I will give you rain at the right time, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.

Leviticus 26:3-4

 Remember when your mom said, If you ____ (fill in the blank), then I will____ (fill in the blank)? It depends on the if what the then would be. Then depends on what you did with the if. Joyful or painful! Blessing or curse.

We see this throughout scripture what God commands and what will happen if His commands are obeyed…or not. God made a covenant with Israel that includes if and then. Obedience to God’s if makes His then pleasant as He brings blessing and deeper relationship to those who faithfully follow Him.

In our own lives, if we accept Christ as our Savior, then we will have eternal life with Him forever. As followers, if we walk in obedience and faith, then we will experience His guidance and an intimate walk with Him.

When you disobeyed your mom’s if, you probably regretted her then. Even when she showed mercy, you knew you’d disappointed her. When we disobey God’s directives we regret it. That is not a bad thing if it drives us to repent, but if we continue to knowingly break the truth He shows us, we will not experience the blessing that obedience offers.

How have you experienced God’s blessing when you followed His if? How have you experienced His discipline (His then) when you chose to disobey?

Get to know Jesus as you study His Word. Ask Him how you are to respond in obedience to His commands. Ask Him to strengthen your love for Him so that you desire to obey.

Lord, obedience is not always easy. I want to obey, but my rebellious, selfish heart often makes me want to do it my way. Help me know you more so I can love you more and choose to obey.

Chris Adams