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Tassels To Think

by Justin Smith on February 24, 2021

Scripture

Numbers 15:38-40-“Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the LORD instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do. The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God.”

Observation

As wonderful as my kids are, they need constant reminders about obedience, kindness, and appropriate actions. “Don’t forget to obey the first time you’re asked, don’t forget to say please and thank you, don’t forget to do what’s right when no one is looking”...these are just some of the things I find myself saying almost daily. Don’t get me wrong; they’re great kids. But sometimes they get a little too excited, a little too distracted, a little too selfish and forget, or disregard, the right thing to do. I’ve realized that even in my adult years I still do the same thing! I get a little too excited, a little too distracted, or a little too selfish and forget and disregard the right thing to do, so what should I do about it? How can I be intentional about remembering? This came to mind today as I read through Numbers 15. In spite of the Israelites disobedience and unfaithfulness, God remained committed and faithful to His people and to His promise to bring them into the Promised Land, and in preparation for that, He established some laws and requirements for them to live by. God delivered these instructions to Moses, and the last one really caught my attention: sew tassels on your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. Tassels? This ancient form of “bling” sure seemed like a strange regulation, but there was a very specific purpose. “When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey...”

The tassels would be a daily reminder of:

Who they were: God’s chosen people

What they were chosen to do: Live holy lives

Application

God knows our propensity to forget and disregard His commands. I WILL get distracted, I will get discouraged, and I will have the tendency to drift from obedience and purity, which is why setting up reminders is so critical to my walk. Now, I’m not going to take all of my clothes out of the closet and sew tassels on them, and I’m not trying to start a new fashion trend. But, I know that I need to be intentional in setting up reminders to keep my focus on His way. Whether it begins with the daily reminder of devotions and time in His Word, a commitment to prayer at certain times throughout each day, an alarm set on my phone, or even a renewed purpose each time I see my wedding ring, I need to allow these reminders to regularly recalibrate my heart and mind to know “who” I am and “what” I’m called to do that I might honor God and not get discouraged, distracted, or tempted by the things I face in this world. 

Prayer

Jesus, as I set up intentional reminders and markers in my daily life, please use them to remind me that as Your child I am called to live a holy life. Help me to choose obedience, even when I don’t want to, that I might live to bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

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