For the Lord had made a covenant

     with the descendants of Jacob

     and commanded them:

“Do not worship any other gods

     or bow before them

     or serve them

     or offer sacrifices to them.

 

But worship only the Lord,

     who brought you out of Egypt

     with great strength and a powerful arm.

Bow down to him alone,

     and offer sacrifices only to him.

 

Be careful at all times to obey the decrees,

     regulations, instructions, and commands

     that he wrote for you.

You must not worship other gods.

 

Do not forget the covenant

     I made with you,

     and do not worship other gods.  

 

You must worship only

     the Lord your God.

He is the one who will rescue you

     from all your enemies.”

 

But the people would not listen…

 

2 Kings 17:35-40

 

Everything in me wants to holler STOP! Why won’t you listen? Can’t you see this isn’t going to work out well? Play the story all the way out.

 

During the years I worked as a mental health professional, I oftentimes helped my clients visualize the probable outcome of their choices; if they continued in the same direction they were going.

 

If you do that, then…

If you take another drink, then…

If you go there, then…

 

God does the same thing in Scripture. He tells me things like:

 

If you…then I will…

If you don’t…then this will happen…

Don’t forget me…and I will…

Obey me because…

 

Everything he says to me is all wrapped up in his love and grace, and by playing the story out; he’s encouraging me to love him back. My creator knows me best.