Taking Action for Good

This week during my reading of the Old Testament I found myself focusing on action. Our actions determine our consequences, both those that are temporary, and those that are eternal. The Lord will not accept someone who has lived their entire life with despicable and selfish actions, and has filled their heart only with darkness and indulgence. Acting in line with the Lord's words and will may be difficult, but it is important to our own welfare. The Lord takes note of all our actions and will remember them. For example, those who dare to take advantage of the poor and needy will eventually have to pay the price for their actions. (Amos 8:4-7) If we want to be supported by the Lord, then our actions must be kind and admirable. Whether we are wealthy or poor, how we treat others will be remembered, and our actions will determine both what we attain in this life and the next, and who we will become.

However, even more than righteous actions, the Lord wants our hearts to be righteous. (Hosea 6: 6-7) “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Even if we follow the commandments and go through the actions, if our hearts are not in it then those actions will not mean anything. It is like a ‘gift’ given begrudgingly. Though I might be outwardly following the Lord, if inwardly I am rebellious and withholding my heart, then those actions will mean nothing to me and very little to the Lord. To truly become one of the Lord’s people, I must put my heart into following him. Not only are my actions important, by my intent as well. Just as the Israelites in olden times may have outwardly shown their worship through sacrifice, inwardly there was no actual devotion. In other words, our true devotion is more valuable than false or careless servitude, and it will eventually manifest itself in our outward actions. 

Perfectly Reliable

In reading Jeremiah this last week, and talking with other people from my class where we discuss the Old Testament, the idea of God's steadfastness and reliability came up.The Lord is perfectly reliable, perhaps we don’t fully understand or we forget about him in our daily lives, but when we are seeking him then we can trust that he will be there. So long as we remain focused on the Lord then he will be able to help us and fulfill all blessings he has promised.
In a world full of flawed humans who are forgetful and may not always be dependable, it is nice to know that there is someone who is perfectly reliable. We can always turn to the Lord when we need help in any way, whether for comfort, protection, or strength. That knowledge, in of itself, is comforting. Whatever is good for us and will help us grow in character is something that the Lord can be asked for and be relied upon. He is dependable, even if we do not see the actions of the Lord.