Rules of the House-Youth Weekly Devotional

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NIV):

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?

Every house has rules.  If there weren’t any, it would be major chaos.  What would it be like if your parents let you do whatever you wanted?  Stay up late, sleep late, no chores, no homework, no school or work.  Play outside all day and night or on the computer or your favorite video game.  I can hear you now saying, “Cool!” 

But the truth of the matter is, you are still growing and learning.  You need to rest in order to properly grow, you need to eat the right foods for a balanced diet, and you need to go to school for a good education (you don’t want to appear dumb, do you?)  These things are what your parents require you to do, in order for your house to run smoothly.

Well, let’s talk about what God requires of us.  He wants us to “give Him props.”  God wants us to “give Him his.”  Respect, honor, glory and praise.  Another word for respect is fear (reverence).  God isn’t like our friends.  We can’t “dis” Him.  He deserves our praise and adoration.  The Lord wants us to walk in the path He has set before us.  The direction He wants us to go in is not like the game of Twister – being all tied up in knots, but a straight line.  Jesus wants us to be sincere in loving Him, with everything we have; our whole heart, mind, body, soul and spirit, and be obedient to everything He says in His Word.  Just like our parents rules for the house is for our good, God’s commands are also for our good, to protect us from harm.