What must come first
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." (NIV) Galatians 6:7
Everyone desires God's blessings. We pray daily, asking the Lord to bless us. We travel long distances to prayer camps, seeking good lives and protection for ourselves and our families. We fast for days and cry out to God to hear our pleas. In fact, we do everything possible to catch God's attention. But here’s the question: Do we always get the results we seek in prayer? Sometimes, we receive positive answers, but other times, we do not.
Here is the truth: God seeks a life of obedience and reverence for His commandments. Too often, we ignore His will, pursuing our own desires without considering His laws. In secret, we take what does not belong to us and tell lies to avoid embarrassment. We engage in fornication and adultery, thinking no one sees us. Yet, on Sundays, we stand before God, singing the loudest in church. Are we not deceiving ourselves?
The Bible warns us: "Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7). This is a sobering truth that should cause us to reflect and change our ways.
Sin does not bring any good - it only leads to sorrow, shame, and punishment. Consider the example of Joseph in Potiphar’s house. When Potiphar’s wife tempted him, Joseph boldly refused, saying, "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:7-9). Oh, how we need this same fear of God in our daily lives—the kind of reverence that makes us tremble at His word and turn away from sin.
Praises and worship are wonderful, but the fear of God must come first. This is the kind of person God delights in, as He declares in Isaiah 66:2: "Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word."
Joseph trembled at God’s command and refused to sin. This is the attitude we must all have first. When we respect and obey God's commandments, His blessings will follow.
Let us resolve to put God’s commandments first in everything we do. When we walk in the light of His word, He will pour His blessings upon us.