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Proverbs 28:4-5

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them.  5 Evil people do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD understand it all.  9 The one who turns away his ear from hearing the law,even his prayer is an abomination.

So, it might no longer be a fitting title for this blog to be called “Thoughtful Thursday” since it is, in fact being written and posted on a Friday, but I could not miss my favorite day of posting – even though I technically did.  (o:  Better late than never!

At first blush, this verse in Proverbs seems not too applicable to probably most of my readers, but I love to try and think outside of the box – to see if there is an application there that perhaps I did not consider.  While there are many motivations to abstain from sin, this one probably ranks high on the list.  I do not think any one of us would voluntarily say they consciously praise the wicked.  “Boy, I cannot wait to go praise the enemy” – said no good Christian ever.  But is it possible that could occur?  To forsake the law potentially encompasses many actions.  We can willfully choose not to obey God’s law or a law that God sovereignly placed us under on this earth, but frequently, the law is forsaken unintentionally.  Subtly.

Sometimes it is a lack of understanding.  Is a specific law still applicable today?  Take the Sabbath, for instance.  Scripture is replete with many examples of God’s call to faithfully still adhere to the Sabbath.  It would not look the same as it did in the Old Testament, but since God is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow, does not He still want us to rest and worship Him, one day a week?  I am humbled to say this is a challenge to me, but the fear of the LORD drives me to not casually set aside a law if I do not understand it or it seems outdated.

Another form of forsaking the law is when we permit words to come out of our mouth that Scripture clearly commands us not to – praise and cursing come out of the same mouth.  But often it can slip in many “Christian” circles as being a “part of the culture”.  Not a part of God’s culture, but somehow allowed in because the Christian’s sins are covered?  May it never be.

Exposing areas in our lives that are not consistent with the life hidden in Christ can sting a little bit.  We all have blind spots, spaces in our faith that lack integrity and perhaps an understanding of what God requires.  That is where God’s grace comes in – not to placate those areas, but to cover the ones that are still hidden from us while we still seek to be obedient to God and His Word.  We need to be intentional – not legalistic, but sincere and persistent in seeking God’s laws.  It is my earnest prayer that this weak vessel will spark a generation of sincere believers who will be vigilant in walking with their faithful God and be a light in a dark world.

Lord, reveal to us where we are not submitting to Your law and help us to obey Your laws fervently.  Thank You for Your promise that if we seek You, we will understand justice and our need to follow Your ways.  How amazing You are!