Why is it that we break the speed limit as long as we don’t see a police officer, but when we do we will slow down to obey the law, only to continue to break the law once the officer is no longer in sight? We tend to treat God this way, going about our business because we don’t physically see him. Let’s take a look at what we can do to reverence an awesome God.
It was a cool Wednesday morning and was heading to work. Those that are familiar with I-85 in Atlanta know it’s not a great place to be in the morning. We’re talking 5 lanes of traffic moving an average of 2 miles per hour. If you feel that patience is an area you need to work on, come visit and drive around I-285 and I-85 for a week. It will strengthen your patience indeed.
So, since I had so much time on my hand waiting to move the next inch, I began to observe a woman who was on the shoulder of the highway and it looked like she was having car trouble. But to the credit of the state troopers, there was an officer there to make sure she was okay. Interesting enough, once we passed this point, traffic began to move faster. I looked in my rear view mirror, and the patrol car lights turned off and the car began to move.
I saw the car travel down the HOV lane and move ahead of the traffic. Suddenly I saw the typical brake lights; Then it hits me. Ever notice how travelers can move in excess of 80 MPH, but at the sight of a patrol car will slam on brakes to slow down to the speed limit? I was now back into a traffic jam because cars were slowing after seeing the highway patrol. Once he/she moved out of sight, everyone sped up once again. Why is it that we break the speed limit as long as we don’t see a police officer, but when we do we will slow down to obey the law, only to continue to break the law once the officer is no longer in sight? Does anyone see where I am going with this?
Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”
I picked this scripture to open a thought. When you read through the old testament we find a common pattern. The people did what they pleased, worshiped idols and false gods, and turned away from the one true God. God then anointed a king or prophet to go and speak to the people. The people would then heed to the words out of fear of what God promised to do. Now in the sight of the chosen prophet and the signs God gave to let them know He was serious, they would turn to the law and do what is right by God. But after time when that prophet moved on and was out of sight, they would go right back to what they used to do. From Genesis through Malachi we find this pattern.
