RTW 2023

O Israel, if you would only listen to me!
Psalm 81:8b

But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around.
Psalm 81:11

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• When they didn’t obey God –
  So, I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.
  Psalm 81:12

• When we don’t obey –
  So, God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired.
  Romans 1:24a

If only the Israelites would have obeyed God. (Psalm 81:14-16)

If only we would obey God.

Obedience

• Brings Joy
  Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.
  Psalm 119:1-2

• Gives strength
  Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter.
  Deuteronomy 11:8

• Perfects love
  But whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
  1 John 2:5-6

• Prepared our heart for Jesus to live in
  Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
  John 14:23

• Gives life
  If you obey my decrees and my regulations, you will find life through them. I am the LORD.
  Leviticus 18:5

• Bring the manifestation of the Holy Spirit
  Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.
  John 14:21 (ESV)

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Psalm 82

I am so ready for justice to be restored in our country

Don’t let me stray, teach me to obey.