«That you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged» (Deuteronomy 6:2).
It is so hard for us to understand that anything God takes away from us is because it is hurting us, and that everything that He wants to give us is for our good! Certain defenders of humanism have complained because almost all of the commandments begin with a «No.» Besides the reasons that you already know, let me share a couple of other benefits with you.
«No» is a powerful word, so much so that one of the questions a specialist in child development asks a mother of a little child aged 1 to 3 is if the child understands what «no» means. This is an indicator of the child’s maturity. Even if the child goes back to what he was doing after hearing an emphatic No from his parents, the fact that he stops for a moment and turns to look at them is a proof that this little one is on the right track as far as his socio-emotional maturity goes. In the same way, to understand the meaning of «No» in the commandments and to obey without questioning is a proof of spiritual maturity.
The list of things that God asks us not to do is very short compared with everything that we are allowed to do. Imagine how long the list of commandments would be if God had written everything that He allows and that is good for us.
Today’s verse presents a very interesting reason to obey the Ten Commandments: to enjoy a long life. A study that was done on the diet of Adventists and its relationship with longevity concluded that vegetarians and commandment keepers live up to ten years longer that the rest of the world’s inhabitants. Comparing other vegetarians with Adventist vegetarians, the latter live up to five years longer than the former. God is faithful to His promise.
«Right physical habits promote mental superiority. Intellectual power, physical strength, and longevity depend upon immutable laws. There is no happen-so, no chance, about this matter. Nature’s God will not interfere to preserve men from the consequences of violating nature’s laws. There is much sterling truth in the adage, ‘Every man is the architect of his own fortune.’ «—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 29.
Today, write your own list of the advantages of being faithful to God’s commandments.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
