Read Isaiah 48:17-19, Ps. 1:1-4,6, Matthew 11:16-19
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. O that you had hearkened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.’” (Isaiah 48:17-18)
Do you consider God’s commandments to be too difficult? Of course, Jesus himself alluded to this difficulty when he stated: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
Left to our human nature, we would rather gratify the desires of our flesh than obey even a single commandment of God. Nevertheless, there is a reason we must deny our flesh (that is, put to death the deeds of the flesh, Cf. Romans 8:13). It is because we trust God; we trust that if we obey His Words, the rewards we would get are much more than what our flesh can give us.
The difficulty we encounter with obeying God is not the toughness of His commandments but in our level of trust. Just as it takes faith to believe God exists, it also takes faith to live according to His commandments. When this faith is lacking, God’s words become a burden. Jesus says: “my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30) meaning that it is not impossible to follow Him; to live a sinless life.
Today’s Christians are like the children Jesus talked about in today’s Gospel passage. We say we want to dance but when the music begins to play, we refuse to dance. We want all the blessings God gives (to gratify the desires of our flesh) but we do not want to live holy (sinless) lives. We forget that Jesus has assured us that if only we seek Him first, everything else would be added. (Cf. Mt. 6:33).
Trust God, take the hard road, harken to His commandments and your peace would be like a river. The only reward of sin is death.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my trust in keeping your commandments. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 2nd week of Advent. Bible Study: Isaiah 48:17-19, Ps. 1:1-4,6, Matthew 11:16-19).