How does the phrase "as the LORD had commanded" guide our daily decisions? Verse Focus “Then Moses did everything exactly as the LORD had commanded him.” (Exodus 40:16) Seeing the Pattern in Scripture • Genesis 6:22 – “So Noah did all that God commanded him.” • Exodus 39:42 – “The Israelites had done all the work just as the LORD had commanded Moses.” • Deuteronomy 5:32 – “So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.” • Joshua 1:7 – “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe the whole law My servant Moses commanded you.” • John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” Key Insights for Today • “As the LORD had commanded” is not a ritual phrase; it is a heart posture of immediate, complete obedience. • Obedience precedes blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). • God’s commands reflect His character; following them aligns us with His holiness rather than cultural opinion (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16). • Delayed or partial obedience is disobedience (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Practical Steps for Daily Decisions 1. Begin with Scripture – Read a passage each morning, asking, “What explicit command or principle is here for me today?” 2. Ask the Alignment Question – “Does this choice line up with what the Lord has already said?” (Psalm 119:105). 3. Reject Partial Measures – If the Lord says forgive, forgive fully; if He says flee temptation, don’t linger. 4. Trust the Outcome to God – Obedience is our responsibility; results are His (Proverbs 3:5-6). 5. Review the Day – End each evening by tracing where obedience was clear and where course-correction is needed (Psalm 139:23-24). Encouraging Examples • Noah built an ark before rain existed, proving that obedience often precedes understanding (Genesis 6). • Joshua marched silently around Jericho, showing that unconventional commands still demand compliance (Joshua 6). • The early church shared possessions “as anyone had need,” following Christ’s teaching on generosity (Acts 2:44-45). Summary Truth to Remember Living “as the LORD had commanded” turns every decision—big or small—into an act of worship, anchoring our choices in His unchanging Word and inviting His faithful presence into daily life. |
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