Comply: August 19, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY AUGUST 19, 2013.

COMPLY

DEFINITION: 

To act or be in accordance with requests, demands, requirements or conditions.

SCRIPTURE:

The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people to SHOUT for the Lord has given you the city. Joshua 6:16.

When the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. Joshua 6:20.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Today we look at an example that God has given us in the scripture as to how He wants us to comply to His will. This example is from the adventures of the Children of Israel in their battle to conquer the Promised Land.

Israel had set up camp at Gilgal which was about two miles to the north of the city of Jericho. Jericho was so well fortified that the Canaanites were sure that their city was invincible. It was situated on a hill and surrounded by a double ring of walls. The outer wall was six feet thick and the inner wall was twelve feet thick. Humanly speaking the fortification of these walls were impenetrable. It would appear to be a losing battle for the Children of Israel. Nevertheless God had determined that Jericho would fall.

God sent a messenger to Joshua to tell him that God would deliver Jericho completely into Joshua's hands. God gave very specific instructions that Joshua must order the Israelites to comply with if they were to have the victory. Joshua and his army were to march once around the city for six straight days. They were to be led by seven priests blowing trumpets made of ram's horns who were then followed by the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times and when Joshua gave the command all the people were to shout. The loud shout in unison expressed an expectation of God’s action to fulfill His guaranteed promise.

Joshua did everything just as God had instructed him and when all the people complied with the command to shout, the walls of the city collapsed and the Israelites were able to charge right into the city and take it.

Can you imagine that two walls, one six feet thick and the other twelve feet thick would just collapse at a time when the Israelites shouted. This had to be God.

The instructions given by God to Joshua were very unusual for a military conquest. The Ark of the Covenant was a symbol of God’s presence and it was significant that God directed that the Ark of the Covenant lead the soldiers. He wanted the Israelites to understand that He was in command and the outcome of the battle was dependent upon Him and not upon their military strength. By complying with God's instruction the Israelites demonstrated their faith and trust in the Lord and their willingness to obey Him. In response to their faith and obedience God gave them the victory.

Obedience to God and compliance to His laws always bring blessings. In Deuteronomy 28:2 it reads: "All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God." May we remind you that when you spend time reading the Bible and praying daily, God will make it clear to you His direction for your life. You will probably not hear His voice but the still small voice within you will direct you. You may be fighting spiritual battles in your life but if you comply with God’s commandments, He will give you victory.

All of our children were given assigned household chores which were to be completed before the end of the week. One of our children loved to put his chores off until the deadline was very close. Therefore he often had a hard time complying with the rules and meeting the deadline. One weekend he was invited to a friend's house for dinner. Even though we had reminded him of his chores several times and that they were to be completed before he left, he took off without doing them.

Both of us were somewhat aggravated and we really had "had it" so to speak. We called the house where he was going and asked them to have him call us when he arrived. In no uncertain terms he was told to come home immediately to finish his chores. We told him on the telephone that once they were done he could return to his friend's house. The embarrassment of having to return home accomplished what constant reminders had not. From that day on, he decided it was best for him to do the work early in the week and comply with the rules.

In life today we need to, as individuals and as parents with our families, learn to set rules and boundaries for ourselves daily based on the scriptures and then to force ourselves to comply with them. This will lead to a happy and united family.

One of the things we learned raising our children was the importance of setting rules and boundaries clearly and accurately before an issue could arise on that particular subject. We learned that when we set the rule up front, it was much easier for our child to understand the discipline that followed the breaking of the rule. We also learned the importance of reviewing the boundaries we had set from time to time mainly so our children would not maybe think we had forgotten them. When you set the boundaries up early in the lives of children they will normally learn much quicker the difference between right and wrong and will come to understand what it means to comply.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in John 20:21.

Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.

PRAYER:

Help me to read Your Word daily so I can know Your commandments. Help me to obey and comply with Your laws so that You can bless me and give me victory over my sinful desires. Give me wisdom and direction in leading my children to want to trust You and obey You.