Follow the Rules
Read:
Hebrews 12:5-11
Memorize:
Proverbs 28:13 Whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them (sins) shall have mercy.
How about you?
Do you follow the "rules" God gives in His Word? He expects you to obey them. If you disobey, confess your sin to Him and experience His mercy. Then humbly accept any discipline He may send, and learn from it.
David's friend, Nick, had a flat tire on his bike, so David ran home to see if he could use Dad's tire pump. He liked to use his father's tools, and usually Dad didn't mind. "Just follow my rules," Dad had told him. "Get permission before you use them, and put the tools away as soon as you're finished with them." But this time, Dad wasn't home to ask. David shrugged and took the pump anyway. The boys fixed the tire and then went for a ride.
As David and Nick were returning home, it began to rain. "Don't bother to stop for your pump. I'll bring it over in the morning," Nick promised.
David hesitated. "Well . . . all right," he agreed. He felt a little guilty as he sped on home.
The next morning, Nick called David. "I can't find the pump anywhere," said Nick.
"Oh, no!" groaned David. "I have to get it back where it belongs before Dad notices."
"Look . . . just don't let on that you know anything about it," urged Nick. "If you don't say anything, no one will even know we used it."
At first that seemed like a good idea, but as the morning passed, David found he was very uncomfortable about the whole thing. "I'm gonna have to tell," he muttered to himself. With a sigh, he went to his dad and told him the whole story.
Dad nodded. "Nick's dad called me just a few minutes ago," he said. "He found the pump last night and took it in out of the rain. He said it just occurred to him that it was mine, and he's sending Nick over with it now. As for you . . . consider yourself grounded."
"Aw, Dad . . . can't we just forget about it this one time?" pleaded David. "I did come and tell you about it."
"Yes, you did, and I appreciate that," said Dad. "Actually, I had intended to ground you for a week, but because you were honest about this, David, I'm going to ground you for only the rest of the day. And next time, follow the rules."
Follow God's rules