The Covenantal Character of God’s Commandments.


Thursday 6th February 2020. Read 1 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm in 1 Chron. 29:10-12 and Mark 6:7-13)_


_“Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his ordinances, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do.” *(1 Kings 2:2-3)*_

Our first reading today chronicles the end of David’s life; a young man who came into the scene as a shepherd boy, the youngest son of Jesse who, by God’s Divine choice rose to the position of the King. The life of David is like a book of many chapters which contain so many valid life lessons.

As David was about to die, he called his Son Solomon and gave him the best leadership advice any good leader could afford which can be summarised as follows: “Keep God’s commandments and everything will go well for you.”

This advice came out of the depth of David’s own reflection about his life. David learnt in a bitter way that things did not go well for him whenever he went against God’s instructions.  

David did not want Solomon to make the same mistakes he made. “If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before me in faithfulness with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail you a man on the throne of Israel.” (1 Kings 2:4).

The truth is that God’s commandments represent the terms and conditions of our covenant relationship with Him. By ignoring these commandments, we deliberately remove ourselves from this relationship and expose ourselves to danger. If we play our part and do what pleases God, God fulfils His promises to us.

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus sends his disciples to go and preach and in doing so, Jesus gave them specific instructions to guide their missionary enterprise. So long as they were faithful to these instructions, they were extremely successful.

These disciples who once feared for their lives out there on the sea, the disciples who had a hard time grappling with the Divinity of Jesus, who wondered at how Jesus was able to cure the demoniac are now the ones preaching, casting our demons and healing sick people.

Truly, there is no limit to what we can achieve when we follow God’s instructions and keep His commandments. By our obedience to God, we give God the freedom to work through us and we enjoy His protection and grace.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, whenever I feel like disobeying your commandments, help me to remember what I stand to gain by allowing your will to be done. Amen.

Happy New Month. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. (Thursday of the 4th week in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: 1 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm in 1 Chron. 29:10-12 and Mark 6:7-13).

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