Dog biscuit or ‘Whuppin’

I once owned a black Labrador retriever, (or he owned me I’m not really sure; I’m sure in his’ mind he owned me), for fourteen years. This dog was very smart and he was extremely well-trained if I do say so myself. I had a two and one half acre lake in my backyard and I could take him to the backside of the lake and instruct him to stay. I would walk all of the way around the lake back to my house, go inside and fix a glass of tea and go out on my deck and he would still be sitting there waiting for his next command. I would raise my hand and wave for him and he would take off running like the wind. I could blow my whistle and he would immediately stop, sit down and wait for his next command. I would wave him on and he would take off again. I could motion to the left and he would go left; motion to the right and he would go right. I could motion him down and he would lie down. He was a wonderful hunting dog and retriever. He would sit next to me in a duck blind and woe unto me if I shot at and missed a duck. He would all but bite me and look at me with sheer disgust.

His name was Bear and he was a great dog and companion, butBear had his faults. He knew what to do and he knew what not to do, but sometimes he just could not help himself. Once he wanted to chase some tame ducks at a park. I called him and he stopped and looked at me momentarily and then took off like a scalded dog chasing the ducks. He knew he was wrong to do so but he was rebellious at times. He knew he would be punished but he just did it anyway. I could beat him about the head and wherever I could land a blow and he would just shut his eyes and take it. When I was through he would shake his head and wag his tail and smile at me with a silly look on his face, thankful that I was no longer mad at him and life would be good again.

I wonder how many of us are like old Bear. We know we are wrong, we consider the consequences, and then we deliberately violate God’s laws knowing full well that there is going to be a consequence to that sin. I’m sure God takes no pleasure in punishing us, but He demands our obedience and will not tolerate our rebellious nature. He cares that we focus on Him and surrender to Him more and more each day. If we are too rebellious we could suffer a fate worse than death just as satan and one third of the angels in heaven found out when they were expelled from heaven as “stars falling from the sky” for rebelling against God. Hell was originally created for satan and the angels who joined him in their rebellion against God. Unfortunately those among us who reject Jesus Christ will join them one day. Worst case punishment for rebellion is everlasting’ torment in the Lake of fire’; lesser punishment results in a lack of peace and joy.

The best policy is to submit to God and obey His commands. His commands are for our own good and will lead to peace, joy, and prosperity. He loves us and wants to bless us. As with any loving father, God will discipline us if we force the issue. If we make a mistake, we should follow old Bear’s example, he knew he was going to get a whuppin’ and he took it like a man.. err dog; we should do likewise. Submit to God today and enjoy life.

Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the
land;
But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the
sword