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Tobit's Remedy

 

This article runs in partnership with the last article I wrote on the man named Tobit (“Tobit’s Praise”). The Deuterocanonical book bearing his name “Tobit” has a song of praise with yet another lesson for us in strengthening our faith. 

Beyond the words of praise comes the call for accountability in our relationship with God as our Father. Tobit uses calls to faith such as “turn to him with all your heart and soul” and “acknowledge him at the top of your voice.” These statements speak of passion and admiration. Here are those words again: 

Tobit 13:1, 6-7

Then Tobit said: “Blessed be God who lives forever,
     because his kingdom lasts throughout all ages….
If you turn to him with all your heart and with all your soul,
    to do what is true before him,
then he will turn to you
    and will no longer hide his face from you.
So now see what he has done for you;
    acknowledge him at the top of your voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness,
    and exalt the King of the ages.
In the land of my exile I acknowledge him,
    and show his power and majesty to a nation of sinners:
‘Turn back, you sinners, and do what is right before him;
    perhaps he may look with favor upon you and show you mercy.’
As for me, I exalt my God,
    and my soul rejoices in the King of heaven.” 

How is your level of passion for God your Father and Lord Jesus Christ? Does your faith cause you to burst forth in radical and enthusiastic ways? Do you understand what it means to use your heart and voice to “exalt the King of the ages?” Are you living in such a relationship with God that you can recognize when He shows Himself to you? 

I hear many stories from Christians who are overwhelmed in life, miserable, and even fearful of the current state of affairs around the world. They live their lives well below what God has intended for them because they choose a mentality of woe, bitterness, anger, discontentment and fear. Miserable. Critical. Unhappy. 

Being a Christian does not make us immune to these hardships, trials and challenges of this world. Despite what is allowed to come into our lives, we must understand that our disposition is always our choice to make. We decide to be either bitter or better and with seeing the glass not as half-empty or half-full, but continually refillable. 

Much of this way of thinking comes from the depth of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. I can almost guarantee that the more overwhelming, sad, and depressing life seems, the more the cause can easily be traced back to a fractured relationship with God. Nothing good can come from drifting away from our relationship with God. 

Tobit gives the remedy for avoiding such a condition in life. Tobit says to “turn to him [God] with all your heart and with all your soul, to do what is true before him… acknowledge him at the top of your voice… turn back, you sinners, and do what is right before him.” 

I believe the antidote to life in general and for everything is to forsake the world and turn to God, seek His face, and deepen your loving and personal relationship with Him. A proper and holy relationship with God is not like dialing 9-1-1….only dialed when there is an emergency. God will gladly reveal Himself and commune with us if we will invest more of ourselves into our relationship with Him and willingly live according to His commands and instructions. 

John 14:21, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” 

Do you want to see more of God in your life? Do you want to become more aware of His presence and work in your life? If so, Tobit is reminding us that our relationship with God must be our highest priority. We must spend quality time with God beyond devotions and prayer. We must stay consciously aware of “God with us” always and everywhere. This is the basis behind 1 Thessalonians 5:17, to “…pray without ceasing….” 

We must be intentional and allow such words like repentance, reconciliation, obedience, and holiness to grow roots deep within our very soul. James 4:8 tells us that if we will draw near to God, He will draw near to God. It’s relatively simple, yet we can complicate this by neglect, indifference, life choices and bad decisions. 

I’ll admit that staying completely engaged most of each day is not easy. Of course, it takes work. It takes willingness and effort to put forth the discipline to live this way. But as our love grows for God, the more our desire for Him will intensify. The more it intensifies, the more time we will WANT to spend with Him and the more desire we’ll have in our hearts to please God rather than risk disappointing Him. 

Remember what Tobit declared: “Turn to him with all your heart and with all your soul, to do what is true before him….” Don’t neglect your time with God. Strive to have an increasing awareness of God always with you. Talk to Him consistently and constantly. Keep Him close in your mind and dwelling within your heart. May all that we do “exalt the King of the ages.”

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