Comfort from Rules?

Posted on 21st Nov 2018 18:50:47 in Meditation for Christians, Daily Meditations

Meditation for Christians - Day 8

Psalm 23

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Comfort from Rules?

When we know Him, we walk in the comfort of being led by one who would never see us lost again. The valley of the shadow of death would be the worst place to get lost. Yet in those most frightening times we can find incredible faith because we walk with Him.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains. - Psalm 107:14

We learned from the martyrs that even if our very lives are taken, we still win the victory through Him.

The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? - Psalm 118:6

Most of us know about how G-d comforts us during trying times, but where do the rod and staff fit in?

He defends His sheep with the rod, and He brings back the straying sheep with the staff. This often symbolizes discipline and rules, but the Good Shepherd does not use the rod and staff to beat the sheep. Instead he uses them to guide them on the straight path, using them to corral the sheep to safety, not beat them into submission. The rod may be used against the wolves, but never the sheep.

How are rules a comfort?

Rules can be a comfort in frightening times. A young girl was walking down the street with her little sister. A run-down looking car pulled up next to them. Alcohol scent rolled out of the window as the rough looking man asked the little girl if she needed a ride home. She felt paralyzed, but instinctfully she found herself saying,"I am not allowed to get into cars with strangers." It was not even a question thanks to the rules.. she did not even have to consider it or argue. How could the wolf argue with her after that without exposing himself as a wolf? The rod and staff are not to be despised or dreaded, but a gift of security to be cherished.

They confronted me in my day of calamity, but the LORD was my support. - 2 Samuel 22:19

Exercise for Day 8

Think of a time as a child when your parents enforced a rule for your safety that you did not like at the time. Think of times in the past when things looked dire, but G-d kept you safe. In what ways does G-d protect you today?

Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments.” - Matthew 22:37-40

Index

About The Way

Not a religion... a RELATIONSHIP!

The Way is for followers of Yeshua who seek a closer, more fulfilling relationship with HaShem, the One G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The meaning of the word "Christian" has been hijacked and turned into something our beloved Meshiach would never have approved of. Many reform groups have attempted to return to The Way that Yeshua originally preached, and their success has been equivalent to how dedicated they are staying true to the spirit of the scripture in their doctrines.

Instead of a new doctrine, The Way is about finding out what He wants for each of us individually. Instead of grudging obedience to what other people tell us we are supposed to do, we ask the Father directly. And He Answers!

Links and Other Resources

Why G-d?

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. - Exodus 20:7

Unless directly quoting scripture in a respectful way, many people choose not to utter or write the name of G-d. A common practice is to refer to Him as HaShem ("The Name" in Hebrew). This is not required, and is a personal preference chosen for many reasons. One of those reasons is that words like "G-d", "Christian", and even "Jesus" have been terribly abused and misused.

Much of our modern biblical language comes from Rome or Greece, not the original Hebrew and Aramaic Yeshua himself spoke. To make matters worse Constantine's Roman form of Christianity has seemingly forever tarnished and manipulated our precious Saviour's name and message beyond recognition.

People tolerate it today in subtle forms: the names of days of the week, months of the year, and even resting on SUNdays (the day to remember the sun-god Apollo as decreed by Constantine!). It is tolerated because people got used to it, and change is not easy. For some, this is not a good enough reason to continue with these traditions that clearly are not biblical. For those who do not feel this way, that is between you and HaShem.

...He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone... - John 8:7