Example one was Rahab, during the siege of Jericho. Simply put she and her family had to be in her home when the city was raided. If they were not they would have suffered the same fate as all the others. They couldn't be next door, in the building, on the right street. No, they had to be in the prescribed place at the prescribed time in order to receive the Father's protection and provision. Amen?
Example two was Noah's Ark. Similar situation, utter destruction if Noah didn't carry out exactly what God instructed. Had the Ark not been made to the exact specifications, I don't think the Titanic would've ever occurred. Amen? More significant, Noah had to get inside of this Ark. This monstrosity the world had never seen, because some stuff called "rain" (which the world had ever known) was going to fall.
The Passover, our third example, may be the easiest for some to grasp. Not only were they to stay in their homes; they were to care for the lamb in a specific way, slaughter the lamb in a specific way, then place the blood on their doorposts. Had they not done just one of the things they were commanded I'm sure they would've come to destruction. God was very specific about His requirements. They may have been motivated to be so obedient by the plagues they had just witnessed. Hint, hint: Have you seen some plagues in your life? I'm getting ahead of myself now.
The bonus piece was David and Bathsheba, probably the most simple illustration. David is depicted as a multitude of things. We should all be familiar with this gifted man, it just seemed like he could do everything. Amen? Except, stay focused. The question one must ask is: "If David's army was at war, why wasn't he?" Because David wasn't where he was supposed to be. Had he been on the battlefield, he wouldn't have ever seen Bathsheba...."sunbathing".
This brings us to the point of the blog. God intends for us to do specific things. Not some of them, not most of them....all of them. Should we not follow His direction to a "T" we will find ourselves in a catastrophic situation. In order to receive His protection and provision, we must adhere to His laws (instruction). Not our perception of His laws, but the laws as He has prescribed them. This does not negate grace and mercy, nothing negates his grace and mercy except for disobedience. AMEN?
People often say, "Why did God let this happen to me?". "Where was God?" Answer: Where He always is, in His divine and righteous standing. The question should truly be; "Why was out of bounds?" Were you living in accordance with His law and statutes, or by the laws and statutes of man. If you want what God has for you, you have to be where God is. You can't be there unless you are living in accordance with His laws.
Are you asking yourself what this has to do with jurisdiction? That is simple, in my weirdo mind. From a judicial standpoint, different jurisdictions have different laws. What may be a severe act in one jurisdiction, may not be so severe in another. All depends on where you commit said act. We live in accordance with the laws that govern the jurisdiction in which we live, because none of want to deal with the judgment that comes for violating them. NEWSFLASH: God's jurisdiction is everywhere. Yet, if you want the "privileges" (blessings) that come with being a citizen of Heaven, you must live in accordance with His laws. If your not living with in His laws, then you are a citizen of a different realm, thus you are subject to the "privileges" of that jurisdiction.
Decide today under who's jurisdiction you're living your life. His, yours, or this world's? I pray it's under the eternal jurisdiction of our loving Father. If you take an honest evaluation and see that your not, then allow Him to bring you in to His Kingdom. In to His Majestic holy jurisdiction, so that you can receive all the privileges due a citizen of His Kingdom. LOVE Y'ALL!!!!
BE BLESSED BE FAITHFUL