Loving God: Submission to His Will

I am the mother of a strong willed child. Or maybe, he’s just a two year old boy. He pushes the limits, challenges the boundaries, and alters the routine as often as possible. Each day, he attempts to get away with each of these, even though he didn’t succeed all the previous days. But how much different am I in my Christian walk? How many times have I pushed the boundaries established by God? How often have I ignored His will for my own?
Throughout the Old Testament, we see this same pattern with the Israelites. They challenge God, ignoring His direct commands, and then complain when faced with the disciplinary consequences. Yet God remains faithful to His promises, has compassion for them, and delivers them. Centuries later, in the New Testament, the leaders of the day refused to recognize Jesus’ authority and even His disciples, while enthusiastic, often didn’t “get it”. Again, God is faithful, giving Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice once for all. God created the world with a plan. He gave us His word and fulfills his promises. Stubborn and rebellious though we are, He continuously provides loving discipline and reminders of His supremacy.
Proverbs 3:5-6, 11-12 – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Psalm 13:5-6 – But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.