Obedience
June 25
Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love…
Genesis 22:2
Aaron knew he was in trouble when he came down for breakfast and his father hadn’t left for work yet. As Aaron sat down at the kitchen table, Gerald asked, “What time did you get home last night?”
“About twelve-fifteen,” Aaron responded guardedly. Then, anticipating his father’s next question, Aaron said, “I know, you told me to have the car home at midnight. But I was only fifteen minutes late, Dad,” he added, hoping his father would overlook his curfew violation.
“You’re seventeen, Aaron,” Gerald said. “And that means you abide by the rules that govern this household…all of them. You broke curfew. No car for a month. And when we restore your driving privileges you will have the car back by eleven o’clock until you prove we can trust you again.”
Aaron couldn’t resist. “I don’t see what the big deal is! It was only fifteen minutes!”
“The big deal is,” Gerald said, “you decided to disobey the rules. And as you well know, that means consequences.” Then he added, “Aaron, disobedience breeds contempt for authority. If you can’t follow our rules, how do you think you’ll do with society’s rules?”
“I’ll do just fine, no thanks to you!” Aaron responded flippantly.
“Don’t disrespect me, Aaron,” Gerald said, holding his frustration in check. After a minute, he added, “I love you, son. And though it may not seem like it at the moment, your mother and I want what’s best for you. But, if you refuse to follow the rules, someday your attitude will get you into more serious trouble than just the loss of driving privileges.”
†
Rules, as many would glibly challenge, are not made to be broken. They have been put in place for our protection, yet many of us, like Aaron, test their limits.
God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. Abraham did not hesitate. Why? Because anything less than his ‘obedience’ would have been disobedience, and Abraham loved God enough to trust Him completely.
When we obey authority we reap a reward. When we disobey we open ourselves up to any number of consequences. Obedience recognizes the wisdom in such a choice and chooses rightly.
Prayer
“Father God, may You always find in me a spirit of obedience and submission to Your protection for my life. Amen.”
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