Todays readings… Deuteronomy 15, Ecclesiastes 7, Acts 5&6
“WE MUST OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN”
The above statement was made by Peter and the Apostles when they were brought before the council. They were told “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name” [Acts 5 v.28]. The council then then warned the Apostles, saying, “you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”
How short is the human memory when there are things they prefer to forget! In Matt. 27 we read of how Pilate “washed his hands” saying, ‘I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.’ And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” [Matt.27 v.24, 25]
We wonder when the world experiences the wonder of Christ’s return – whether there will be a denial of having ever believed in evolution! Let us ponder what we are about to read in Ecclesiastes, “God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” [12 v.14]. Also Paul’s words in Romans 2 v.16 of “that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” How soon now!?
In Acts ch. 5 today we read how Peter, through the power of the Holy Spirit, knew that Ananias and Sapphira were telling lies [v.4] about how much money they had acquired through selling land. They both died because, said Peter, “You have not lied to man but to God.”
Our world abounds with liars! Oh, very few will admit to lying, they just ‘bend’ the ‘truth’ to suit the occasion! This spirit can affect us – if we are not fully committed to serving our Lord, for “We must obey God”
The failure to do this – started at the very beginning, causing Adam and Eve to tell lies to their Creator. In the Kingdom era “Satan” will be “bound” [Rev. 20 v.2] and the saints will be able do this because they will then have “the powers of the age to come” [Heb. 6 v,5] and people will find they “must obey God” or they will suffer the fate of Ananias and Sapphira.
Because we truly “know” God’s word we “must obey God” today. Finally, how relevant to these scriptures are the words of Moses to Israel we read today in Deuteronomy ch. 15. “the LORD will bless you in the land …. if only you will strictly obey the voice of the LORD” [v.4,5]. Let us meditate on the appropriateness of these words for us for we ‘hear’ his voice through His word! Let as make sure we ‘hear’ it every day.
