“Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105, NIV
Caught up in conversation with my two daughters riding behind me, my teachable moment fizzled as I spied flashing lights in the rearview mirror.
A few moments later the polite policeman asked if I had any idea how fast I was going.
Nope.
Did I know the speed limit on that stretch of highway?
No idea.
He astutely pointed out, I just didn’t know.
In Genesis 20, we read of King Abimelek, a man who fell victim to a scheming prophet. King Abimelek gazed a pretty foreign woman, Sarah, and appreciated her great beauty. Upon inquiry, he learned she was traveling with her brother Abraham. So the King treated both Sarah and Abraham well, bestowing upon them many great gifts. Then, King Abimelek sent for Sarah and took her as his wife.
God intervened, communicating with Abimelek in a dream and saving him from sin. Because Sarah was not just traveling with her brother, but her husband as well.
Verse three of this chapter tells us, regardless of our knowledge, or lack thereof, wrong is still wrong whether we possess a clear conscious or not.
And, although God is gracious, we are held accountable for our actions.
“I didn’t know” is not an acceptable excuse. Not for a King claiming a married woman as his wife, nor an excitable mom flying down the highway. There are consequences for our actions and we can be certain God sees us every time.
And He will pull us over!
We are blessed in that in the United States we have God’s word readily available to us. We can read His precepts and instructions. We can watch online sermons and Google commentaries as well as different versions of the Bible.
Just as I was caught up in conversation and not heeding any speed limit signs, I often become caught up in doing things the way I’ve always done them, or doing what I have seen modeled and never questioned if it were right.
Maybe you can relate?
We need to stop, discern the laws of God, and of the land, and make sure we know what each states.
Because not knowing will not save us from any consequences!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for placing me here, in this time and place. Here, I have Your complete Word. I have the education so I am able to read Your word. I have access to it in my native tongue. You have blessed me with all those resources plus the ability to own my own personal copy of Your word. Please help me keep my focus on Your word and not become distracted in my time in it. You gave me these laws to protect me from harm, heartbreak, and from certain death. Please nudge me, reminding me in the midst of my busy days to stop, take time and rest in Your great wisdom and love, and to focus on Your law. Thank you, In Jesus’ name, Amen.