Love AND Obedience

{Daily Selah}

We establish rules and boundaries for our children because we love them and we want them to do well. 

Our house rules can be summed up in 2 simple words: obedience and respect. 

My oldest son lives in his own home about an hour away and, thankfully, he still treats his mother with respect. 

My youngest children are now 17 and 18. They still live at home and they know the rules still apply no matter how old they are.  

As our loving Father, God has also established rules and boundaries for His children because He loves us and wants us to do well. God expressed this desire of His heart to Moses:

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! (Deuteronomy 5:29)

One day, Jesus was asked which commandment is the greatest. 

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:36-40).

God doesn't just want our love. He wants our love AND our obedience. The rules (commandments) God has given are for our protection. He knows the devastation sin can unleash in our lives. He knows what is best for us. If we love Him completely and completely trust Him to do what is best, it will be evidenced by our obedience. 


If you know that God loves you, you should never question a directive from Him. It will always be right and best. When He gives you a directive, you are not just to observe it, discuss it, or debate it. You are to obey it.  -Henry Blackaby

O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! (Deuteronomy 5:29)

Love AND obedience. 




{Daily Selah} is a mini-devotional, a pause to ponder about the Lord and how He wants us to live.