My family’s home was on a steep hill and we had Black Labrador Retrievers when I was growing up. They were intended to be duck hunting dogs, but became mainly just pets. Heckle and Jeckle, named after the mischievous cartoon Magpies of the late 1950’s, loved to run when released, each one trying to outdo the other. I once then tried to outrun them down our front yard to let them swim in the lake. I let them go and was running as hard as I could, but I was no match for my canine companions; they both clipped me at my knees when overtaking me, sending me into a bowling ball tumble into the Nandina bushes. Scraped and bruised, I then had to chase them through the neighborhood and put them back in our yard. The nandinas had a preteen boy sized indentation that would eventually grow back, but they were a reminder to me to be aware of where those dogs were when I was running. In that same yard, my toddler cousin would run down the hill full speed while laughing, until his little legs couldn’t keep up. He would fall head first and tumble, still laughing. My aunt would come and scoop him up and cover him in kisses and they would laugh and do it again and again.
In the book of Deuteronomy, when Moses was reminding God’s people that they should love and obey God and not turn away from Him to other gods. He says “if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you.” (Deuteronomy 28:15 ESV) The imagery is of a fast and strong animal that outruns, attacks, and overwhelms its prey. Moses had also reminded them that good things would overwhelm them if they loved God and obeyed Him. He says, “all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 28:2 ESV) But we all know what happened; the people were not able to obey and they were overtaken by their enemies, famine, and loss.
This is where the Good News comes in. God sends His Son, Jesus, who is completely righteous and His great love outruns us, overwhelms us, and overtakes us. He pursues us like a mother chasing a toddler then scooping us up, snuggling us close, and kissing our whole face. As we respond to Jesus and love Him back, we are overwhelmed by His blessings. Jesus reminds us… “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” (John 14:23-24 NIV11)
I think I'd rather be overwhelmed by great blessings rather than curses. Obedience comes from our love of God, not the other way around. We can’t religiously obey our way into loving God, but when we love God we will obey Him.
Hang in there people. God is glad to be with us. I’m praying for us all.
