Do you remember being a teenager? Do you remember why you rebelled against your parent when she only wanted what’s best for you? I do.

I rebelled because of three reasons: 1. I thought she didn’t know what I’m going through. 2. I thought she had her own agenda in telling me what to do. 3. I thought my way was better than hers. But now that I’m a parent, I shudder to think that my own children will think the same about me as I did with my parents.

But this devotional is not about parenting. It’s about our own attitude toward God. What is the reason we won’t go all the way in following God and doing everything He wants us to do? I suspect that it is because one or more of the three reasons: 1. We think God doesn’t understand our situation (If He knew, He wouldn’t be so demanding!) 2. We think God has His own agenda (But, didn’t He sacrifice His own Son for us?) 3. We think our way is better than God’s. (Adam & Eve made that mistake)

What is the reason we justify our sinful indulgences?
What is the reason we won’t tithe?
What is the reason we won’t die to ourselves in dealing with our spouses?
What is the reason we separate our work life & friendship life from spiritual life?
What is the reason we put our children’s extracurricular activities above our spiritual community?

But what if God really understands our situations? What if He has an agenda that is good FOR us? What if His way is really better? Not only better for us but better for our children as well?

“The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul… He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.” Deut 26:16, 19.

Does that sound oppressive to you? You are still a spiritual teenager.
Does that sound comforting and agreeable to you? You are maturing…

We have a God who understands your situation.
We have a God who has our good in mind.
We have a God whose way is better than ours.

Trust Him because He is good!

PH