Or Else...
READ: Exodus 12:1-14
“Clean your room or else…” How many times have you heard your parents say that to you? Most of us don’t take the threat of “or else” seriously. What would you feel like if you came home after school to find your room completely empty? People have to face the consequences for doing something wrong. God punished those who did not obey what He told them about the Passover. The sinners were punished by death.
If you obey what God commanded, you will be blessed. Your parents may reward you in some way; by buying you something or simply by saying thanks to you for cleaning your room. In actuality, however, it is more than just a reward; it is a gift of mercy. The safety and deliverance of the people during the Passover was not a reward for their righteousness, but a gift of God showing His mercy.
Exodus 12:12 says, “And I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.” God loves us; He will punish the wicked and bless the faithful. He is the Lord.
So, the next time your parents ask you to do something, remember the consequences. You know that you are sinning by disobeying what God has commanded. Live as faithful a life as you can. Then you don’t have to think about punishments; you can think of heaven.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Do we really deserve forgiveness? If you know that you are doing something wrong, why do you do it? Why does it seem so hard to follow God’s commands? Why should we want to obey God?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Pray for the strength needed to try to obey God’s teachings and not do things that we know are sins. Pray that people can respect the authority that God has given to watch over us. Thank God for being a forgiving God and for His gift of mercy.