"We observe in order to do."

A thought by David Jeremiah, from his book, Hope: Living Fearlessly in a Scary World (p. 52). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

". . . that you may observe to do according to all that is written in [the Book of the Law]." Joshua 1:8

David says, "Notice the phrase observe to do in this passage. It’s easy to pass over these three words as negligible, but in reality they present one of the great concepts of the Old Testament. We are not to read the Bible for information only or just to increase our knowledge. We are to study the Bible to discover God’s will for our lives. We observe in order to do. We observe the Bible in order to obey the Bible."

He goes on, "One of the most subtle and dangerous errors we can fall into is to view the Bible simply as interesting reading. Yes, it’s timeless literature—fascinating, entertaining, and moving. But at all times the Word of God is no mere book. It’s meant to change who we are and how we live. The Bible’s message can’t simply stop with the mind; it must go on to the heart and the will. We are to be 'doers of the word, and not hearers only' (James 1:22)."

He then says, "When we fear living counterculturally as God’s light in the world, obedience is the single key to banishing the fear. Disobey, and fear remains. Obey, and fear departs. The role of the Word of God is to tell us what to do. But courage is only realized when we obey."

And that is so true, isn't it? Yes, yes! #continuethought

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