TO BE QUICK IN OBEDIENCE

February 17

Psalms 119:60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

“Sin in haste, repent at leisure” is so true of human nature. We are hasty in our sinful disobedience and it could be avoided if we’d just slow down, if we’d take the time to ponder on what we are doing. By contrast, when it comes time to doing right and godly things, we exercise ‘cautiousness’ to the point that we drag our feet.

Here are good examples. I often engage people in financially supporting God’s work through my ministry. Since I understand that people have a responsibility towards God for the money He has given them, I patiently subject myself to answering a myriad of questions, all for the purpose of proving the good reason for which they should make a donation. My question is, do those same people practice the same slow scrupulous sort of financial responsibility for everything they spend the money God gave them, or is it only reserved for the donated dollar? Do they easily, quickly and carelessly spend their money when it comes to non- philanthropic expenses?

Another point on this issue is that we quickly endorse the judgment of a doctor or psychologist with no questions asked, but we feel that we have to go slow and check motives before endorsing the godly counsel of a pastor who may convict our souls. Oh, of what a wicked nature we are, applying different standards in every situation as it suits us (Proverbs 20:10)

Delayed obedience will become total disobedience. Once we have been told in the Word what to do, let us joyfully haste in owning the privilege of having received His commandment. Let us not be quick and thoughtless in sinning, while slow and doubtful in obeying the commandment of the Lord.

1 Samuel 21:8 … because the king's business required haste.