Why do we have such a hard time doing the things God tells us to do? I have read the Bible from cover to cover several times in my life. I have studied every book to some degree. I know what God asks me to do. For the most part I have the basics down by now (with a lot of help from Him that is). I tithe and give above the tithe. I don’t neglect the gathering together with other believers. I am faithful to my husband. I don’t steal or murder or any of those type things.

Still, I have a hard time not finding fault with my husband rather than seeing the heart of why he may have done that thing. I know God tells me not to do that. I believe that my life would be better if I obeyed God, but do I? Do I really believe that it would be better for me to be kind to my husband in spite of the way he might treat me? My behavior tells me I don’t believe that it will be better for me if I react in love. There is a larger part of me that still believes that I know best. Therefore, I don’t believe in God’s goodness.

God is not a rule giver because He has big control issues and He wants to see how much He can keep us from what is good in this universe. He created the whole universe for us. When He created it, He only had one rule. That one rule was quickly broken. He responded by giving us more rules to help us counteract the horror we had done. The longer list of rules corresponds to the longer list of evil we have allowed into our lives. Why does God give rules to live by on the earth? Because He loves us and wants what is good or best for us.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 explains God’s point of view on rules:

“And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?”

Loving God is for our own good. Rules work when we love God first.

Believing in God’s goodness begins with loving Him. When we fear God, it means that we are in awe of how amazing and purposeful He is. We fear Him in honor and respect and admiration. We want to walk in His ways because we love Him and know that His ways are the best ways for us. We trust that if we deny ourselves of the way we think is right and do what He says we will get a better result.

Okay, so I tried it tonight with my husband and, guess what, it did work out for my good. If only I will remember that quickly enough next time. Perhaps it’s not a memory problem but a loving God problem.

Why don’t you try one thing that you know God has told you to do and open your eyes to how obeying Him because you love Him works out for your own good?