Sunday, August 05, 2012

God's Blessings are Conditional

I wonder if watching the Olympics is as much fun in some of the other countries. 

The US, China, the United Kingdom, Korea, France, German and a handful of other countries are winning most of the events. 

Gabby Douglas, the 16 year old nicknamed the 'flying squirrel" won the Gold in the gymnastics all-round and became the first African-American gymnast to be an olympic champion.    She testified of her accomplishments, "I give all the glory to God.  It's kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me". 

Blessings from God.....but conditional on commitment, performance and perseverance. 

The US swim team has dominated this Olympics, winning a majority of the events.  Michael Phelps with his record 22 medals continues to amaze all of us with his accomplishments.  Phelps was a product of a huge United States competitive swimming program that trains young people and provides opportunities for them to test themselves and compete on a national level.  Phelps starting swimming at age 7.  He has parents that supported him and encouraged him and he had a personal coach, a special diet and a scholarship to the University Michigan that provides an environment of academic and athletic excellence. 

In the very first verses of Deuteronmy 28 God says, "Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God twill set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God: blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

Are we carefully observing all His commandments?   Just as these Olympians carefully listed to their coach we need to listen to what the Word of God says to us today.   These accomplished athletes, competing at the highest international venue have dedicated their very lives to their cause.   Their discipline to embrace those things that benefit the cause and avoid those things that are a distraction was the reason for their success.  They have been blessed but their blessing was conditional upon their observing the voice and the words of their coach. 

What will it take for us to be blessed?   When will be be careful to observe all that He commands so that the blessings of God literally overtake us?   Then we will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. 


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