The conclusion of the matter...

<sup>The other day, my family used the subway to go downtown. Fun time. In one station, we had to change lines and there were 2 signs/exits facing us as we got off the crowded train. One was right in front of us and said "For Northbound Train". The other was a little distance off and said "For Southbound Train". We were going southbound, so I naturally yelled "over there!", but my 'guys' headed for the nearer exit yelling back.."We can go here..."

So I followed them knowing what would happen. When we got upstairs, the Northbound train was right there. Not ours. My 'guys' looked a tad confused, then saw another sign "To Southbound Train". This required a climbing another set of steps and going down another set. 

More time. More work. More aggravation. Just because we chose to modify the instructions for our convenience. God requires exact obedience from us. Anything else is disobedience and painful consequences always result. To obey exactly, I must know exactly, to know exactly, I must read His Word and ask for spiritual vision.

I love how God reinforces His 'word' to me in my current reading. To obey His commands, I must know what they are, thus I must read His Word...</sup>

^{Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14  (The Amplified Bible)}

¹³All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] 

 

and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God's providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.

    ¹⁴For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.

 John 14:15, 21 (The Amplified Bible)

¹⁵If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.

²¹The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
   What a glory He sheds on our way!
   While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
   And with all who will trust and obey.
   
   
   
   
   • 
     Refrain:
     Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
     To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. 
   Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
   But His smile quickly drives it away;
   Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
   Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. 
   Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
   But our toil He doth richly repay;
   Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
   But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. 
   But we never can prove the delights of His love
   Until all on the altar we lay;
   For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
   Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. 
   Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
   Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
   What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
   Never fear, only trust and obey.