To some people, the Ten Commandments seem like a list of rules. In fact, when you read through the Bible, you start to notice that there are a whole bunch of rules and instructions about how to live.

If you just think they are arbitrary rules then you are going to start resenting them. That’s why we need to remember that God is always sovereign, holy, wise, loving and good. His commands and teachings always reflect that sovereignty, holiness, wisdom, love and goodness.

If my 5-year old daughter likes to play in the traffic, I am going to tell her that it is a dangerous thing to do. She may not understand at the time. In fact, she might think I’m being mean. “Daddy doesn’t want me to do fun things! Daddy doesn’t love me!”

But as she grows, and as she learns more and more about a parent’s love, she’s going to realize that what I said about her not playing in a busy street was in her best interest. I rescued her from the traffic not because I didn’t love her, but because I did.

So it is with God. In Romans 7:12 Paul writes: “the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.”

We need to be confident that when it comes to God’s commands and teachings, he is always our caring Father. He is always sovereign, holy, wise, loving and good. His commands always reflect his character. We may not always understand them. But as we grow, and as we draw closer to him, we learn more and more about his never-failing goodness.

Is that something you need to hear? Have you started to doubt God’s commands and teachings because you have forgotten that a heavenly Father stands behind them who is sovereign, holy, wise, loving and good?

Be confident in the goodness of God. No matter what.

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.