If I want to come to a place where I truly know God, I have to spend time investing in knowing Him. I read His word. I speak and listen to Him in times of prayer and meditation. I walk in obedience to His teaching so that my sins (disobedience) do not get in the way.
God wants to be known. He says things like, “Seek me, and you will find me,” and “Return to me, and I will return to you.” He wants to be in a relationship with His children. His creation.
So why the covenant? Well, the covenant was an agreement which brought about a relationship of commitment between God and His people. It was about being set apart and living as God requested in exchange for having the hand of God’s protection and blessing. God shared with his people through the prophet Malachi: “The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them. This required reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name. They passed on to the people the truth of the instructions they received from me. They did not lie or cheat; they walked with me, living good and righteous lives, and they turned many from their lives of sin.” (Malachi 2:5-6)
God wanted us to live the best lives possible. He wanted us to be able to live in the presence of His holiness. He entered into the covenant with His people not to restrict us, but to free us! To give us His best, not set us up for failure!
Friend, God wants us to live lives of obedience. Lives that bring Him honor and glory. Lives that are not complicated and entangled by sin and the consequences that come with it. The Word of God is clear in the book of Romans, that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Even when we try to live in complete obedience – we are not gods – and we fall short of God’s standard.
Rather than blowing off God’s covenant and decrees – touting that they are unrealistic and too difficult to live by – may we humble our hearts and return to the feet of the One who will pick us up, clean us off, and provide the strength and determination we need to continue on. We are not alone in this struggle. “Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” (Malachi 3:7a)
All we have to do is return – turn toward Him. That’s it. God, in His perfect love does the rest.
Blessings!