The tennis match had come down to one point. 

This never happens in tennis! But our indoor USTA matches were timed, and at two hours, you stop no matter what. Each of us had won a set, and we were tied in the tie-breaker. Now the whole doubles match would be determined by one point. I knew we needed to take the match to help our team secure the overall win. We were close to winning the league and making it to sectionals.

My partner and I got in position. Our opponent served the ball. I hit the return. The opponent at the net put out her racket. The ball hit the frame of her racket and jiggled through the air. “Out!” I called out as I saw it bounce close to the line. “No.” My partner, who was closer to the line, shook her head. “It was in.”

I sighed a huge sigh of disappointment. If one partner sees the ball in, then that is the call. A rule is a rule. We had lost the match.

Rules. They are necessary. But that doesn’t mean that following them is always easy.

In Leviticus, God gives His list of rules for the Israelites to follow when they settled in the Promised Land. He chose His people specially and wanted them to live differently from the pagan countries around them. “You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them.” (Lev. 18:3-4)

Why?

The heart behind God’s list of rules was not to be domineering and restrictive. He knew the evil ways of the pagan nations, who engaged in acts like prostitution, child sacrifice, and idolatry, often living without regard for neighbors and even family members. Think of the sadness and emptiness these practices must have brought in the lives of the people. 

God wanted His people to be different—to live lives of peace, joy, and contentment. He knew there were specific ways to live on His earth that would protect their hearts and allow them to flourish. 

My husband Mike sees the connection with the rules of golf. He had to call a penalty on himself in a tournament last week, which added two strokes to his score and cost him second place. But he pointed out that though some golfers see the rulebook as a way to penalize players, it is actually designed to ensure that every player has a fair and standardized way to navigate the course. The rules are in place to help players, not hurt them.

We live in a world that often sees God’s commands as pointless, harsh, or intolerant. But we can know that following the laws of our Creator helps us “navigate the course,” and leads to the most rewarding and fulfilling life, which in turn brings us into close relationship with Him. 

In the Psalms, David declares, “Oh, how I love your law. It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97) Do I love God’s rules? Do I have the desire to know them and follow them unconditionally, trusting that He knows what is best for me? 

God, thank you for giving us a rulebook that shows us how to live. Help me to have a sincere love for your Word and Your law. This week show me specifically where I need to hold fast to Your commands.