Because He Said So

When my daughter was four, she had been out past bedtime at an event with her father. She was really wound up and talked nonstop on the way home. Finally my husband said, "No more words, honey. We're going to be quiet for the rest of the ride home." "Why?" she asked. "Because it's late and you are tired, and you need to let your body wind down and rest." "I'm not tired at all," she insisted. "You don't realize it, but you are very tired. It's past bedtime and you need to settle down."

After a moment of silence she said very matter-of-factly, "You can't know how I'm feeling." My husband came through the front door saying, "Our preschooler just out-reasoned me!" Our daughter wants to understand our plans, motives and reasons for everything. She loves us and wants to please us, but she also wants to know why before she obeys. Sometimes I just want to say, "Because I said so!"

I wonder if God ever wants to say that to me. Sometimes I question his plans and rules. Do not murder-check. Do not take the Lord's name in vain-got it. Do not gossip-hmm, not even in the form of a prayer request? Do not lie-you mean, not ever? Do not envy-is this even possible?

God is infinitely more patient than I am. But I wonder if he wished I would simply trust and obey him-like the Israelites did-just because he is God. So my goal today is not to question God but simply to trust and obey him. I know I can take all my questions to the Lord and he will lovingly sift through them, but today I want to obey his commands in swift, willing obedience-just because he said so.
-Rachel Olsen

{Exodus 19:5}
Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. 

{Numbers 9:22-23}
22 Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. 23 So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses.

{2 Corinthians 9:13}
As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.


{2 John 6}
Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.