Loyalty

One of the things I wanted to blog about when I started was what God is teaching me lately. It seems like I get stuck on a word, and as I read my Bible or do a Bible study, that word just pops out. Right now it is loyal.

Last fall when all the TV shows started their new seasons, God used His Word to really get my attention that I didn't need to watch a particular show. The season before I would schedule to watch it, the kids had to be down a little early, and if I missed it, it was available to watch online--which I did. It was one of those that everybody was watching and talking about. And my Father wanted me to give it up.

The next day I read Psalm 51:10 in the New Living Translation. David is saying, "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me." (empahsis mine)

Being a little different than I know it, the loyal stuck out to me. Loyal--God was asking me, not just to obey, but choose His side, follow His rules, be set apart, and be identified as His.

At first I thought it would be hard to avoid the show. I had no idea what I would do instead. You know, I felt like I had to do something "spiritual" or something! But God let me work on my scrapbook. Oh, I enjoyed it! I have been praying for Him to make me wise about time, and this is a project that I never set aside time to do. What I thought was going to be a punishment was really freedom! Then I read this verse in Philipians 2:13, "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him." He makes it easier too!

So now it is winter and the shows are starting their new episodes again. Isn't it just like the Father to give us a booster when we need it! I'm studying The Patriarchs by Beth Moore and she gave us a little word study on "covenant kindness" and "loyal love." She said,

Through the covenant relationship we've entered by the blood of Jesus
Christ, the God of all creation is loyal to us.

2 Timothy 2:13 says it this way, "if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown
Himself."

Wow! I knew He loved me first, but He promises to be loyal to me, even when I'm not. I agree with Beth when she continued, "[God's loyalty] drives me with urgency to be faithful in return. He staked His Name on our relationship. Realizing that, how could we do anything but cleave to Him with our whole hearts?" Give up a TV show? Sure, look what Jesus gave up first for me! I'm looking for more ways to show my loyalty to Him.