Good morning. It is Tuesday, April 9, 2024. A farmer's dream would be for all his animals to behave and do as they are asked! I am starting to train a new four-year-old horse, and it requires lots of patience and grace because they don’t always comply. However, in 1 Samuel, we find cows that obey God! There are some profound lessons for us humans in that portion, so let's read on...
Today's Reading:
1 Samuel 6,7; Psalm 72; 2 Corinthians 9
Scripture
"The Philistines said, "If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh, then the LORD has brought this great disaster on us..." [So] They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves. They placed the ark of the LORD on the cart... Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left" (1 Samuel 6:8, 10-11).
Observation
Now, here’s one for the books: Cows that obey God. This portion of Scripture teaches us a significant lesson on obedience. The Philistines know that the ark needs to be returned, so they strap it to some milk cows, turn them loose, and watch if God will tell them the direction to the Israelites' camp. Milk cows instinctively would turn back toward their calves, but not these. They head straight for the Israelite camp AWAY from their young!
Application
In the New Testament, we find similar anomalies, like stones that sing. The disciples grumbled about noisy children exuberantly welcoming a King on His donkey. "Tell them to be quiet!" His disciples chided. "But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!" -Luke 19:40.
Hardened earth turned wildly joyous? A divine rock concert? Even stones will obey if people do not.
The heavens declare His glory. Mountains bow down. Rivers clap their hands.
Isn't it time that we, who are created in His image, do the same?
Prayer
Father, teach me to obey You at every turn. Reprogram my internal default system so that I am not always struggling to obey, but rather joyfully following Your commands! Then, I will begin to understand what loving You is all about.
"For this is the love of God: that you keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome." - 1 John 5:3
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