In Exodus 19:8, the Israelites tell Moses, "Everything God says, we will do." We know from reading the rest of the Bible that this statement is not consistently fulfilled, but it doesn't change the heart behind it. It reveals the desire of God's people to place their ultimate, unwavering trust in Him. It requires obedience in searching out His direction through prayer, studying the Bible, worship, and engaging in life with others. It means that we have a fear of life without God and a reverential fear of life with Him.
I don't know that I have enough faith to make the same bold statement the Hebrews of the Old Testament did. Moving beyond the repetition of the words to actively living them out is a difficult transition, but God doesn't expect us to always get that right either. He intends for us to make it the desire of our heart so that His Holy Spirit can have access to our motives, ambitions, and actions.
Making that verse a mantra for our lives and churches will start a chain reaction that will create greater impact than we can currently imagine. The change in our own attitudes, thoughts, and actions will be evident and the reformation in our communities will be powerful. We will start to see barriers between people knocked down, forgiveness freely given & received, physical & spiritual needs met, our reputation become one of grace & mercy, and for hope to replace hopelessness as the currency of broken people.
The powerful simplicity of this statement reinforces the desire of God to work in the willing obedience of His people. We will not perfect it, but there is no other choice before us if we truly desire to see God's will done on earth as it is in heaven.
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