The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he commanded us, that will be our righteousness. Deuteronomy 624 25 a letter from the IR's will make one's heart skip a beat. We have the same gut wrenching experience when zipping down a street a little faster than we should and noticing a police car on the cross street we just passed. If you're younger, say, in junior high, you've likely had that same feeling when your teacher walked in the door just as you let go of the eraser that you threw at your buddy across the room. Most of us pay our taxes, obey the laws of the road, and behave ourselves in class. We do so mostly because we know that it is simply the right thing to do. But we also do so partly because we are fearful of what will happen if we don't. What's weird to me is the fact that we are pretty careful to obey man's rules, but a little less than careful to obey God's rules. You know, the Ten Commandments and other instructions in the Bible. Why is it that we are fearful of paying the price for disregarding the laws of the road or classroom, for example, but almost fearless of any consequences for disregarding the law of God? Have we convinced ourselves that gods demand for obedience is any less important or less forceful than obeying the rules of the road or paying taxes or behaving in the classroom? Honestly, shouldnt we do the one without neglecting the other? The high standard of holy living to which God calls us is not something we should ignore. True, some of what he says is tough stuff, and not for the timid, but we should live in compliance with God's word without exception or apology. In most cases, it's not a matter of obeying God rather than man. Whenever possible, we are to obey God and man. That is the only way to avoid chaos, anarchy, and the steep price of disobedience in both worlds. Most parents on a family road trip have had to scold their kids for squabbling and causing a ruckus in the backseat. Most kids have heard their parents say, do not make me stop this car and come back there. Sometimes I think that's sort of what God is saying to us. He has commanded us to obey him, and when we don't, we shouldn't be surprised if he pulls the car over to set us straight. The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, Moses said. And God hasn't changed his mind about that just because it's 2019.

This has been your thought for the day with Steve Burkham, pastor of Community Christian Church in Stockton, California. If you have questions or comments for Pastor Steve, please send them to dailythoughtspodcastmail.com. Have a great day, and we hope you'll join us tomorrow as Pastor Steve opens God's word to bring us another thought for the day.