Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Henry Blackaby
Show us what Evil Is
God’s laws or commands are not just about “Don’t do this” or “Don’t do that,” but, “Don’t do this and hurt yourself or others.” For example, the command to abstain from committing adultery is more about protecting families, and in particular, children, because children are always the innocent victims of divorce. God’s commands are designed to help us live life at its very best.
Show us what is Good
God’s commands are like guardrails on a highway. Whenever we venture to far to the left or to far to the right, we run into His commands and they bring us back onto the road, and without these commands, we’re likely to hurt ourselves or others. Basically, we need to be protected from ourselves. That’s why God gives us His commands.
Guide Us
God’s laws act as a guide as we go down the path of life. For me, God’s “word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105) to keep me from stumbling in the dark. This is why “My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped” (Psalm 17:5), and why I must stay on the path because “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).
Keep us from Harm
The psalmist wrote, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm” (Psalm 105:15), meaning that even Satan had better beware of who he touches. The wisest thing we could do is to fear God because “The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm” (Prov 19:23).
God Knows Best
We don’t always have the wisdom to know which ways are best for us, but God does. He reveals His ways in the Scriptures, so when we are in the Word of God on a daily basis, we can know much easier what’s best for us and what’s not. God’s Word shows us the difference, but if we don’t know God’s Word well enough, we can’t always discern what’s best for us.
Conclusion
Indeed, Mr. Blackaby is right in saying, “God’s commands are designed to guide you to life’s very best” because God’s commands show us what is evil and what is good; God’s commands show us the path to take; God’s commands keep us from harming ourselves or others; and God always knows best, even if we think we do.
