Return to Your Rest

Recently there has been an uptick in reports of young people riding illegal e-bikes on the street, and it seems the authorities are unsure what to do about it.  On Friday I saw a group of youths riding on the street as they dangerously weaved through traffic.  Youths on motorbikes in NSW have been emboldened of late because the police will not pursue them due to safety concerns.  The problem is, those who are guilty of dangerous, unlawful driving are not caught and believe they are within their rights to hoon around with impunity.  Apparently, this problem will be addressed by new legislation later this year to limit the kind of e-bikes people can buy or operate--and "crush" bikes that exceed the speed limitations--that is, if the authorities can catch them!

The problem I see of dealing with hooning by more legislation is that laws on the books are not being presently upheld.  How will more laws do anything to aid the enforcement of current laws?  Adding more laws will not change the behaviour or hearts of people who are inclined to do as they will.  King Solomon was a wise judge, and he wrote in Ecclesiastes 8:11:  "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."  Solomon understood unless there are real consequences speedily doled out to those who do wrong, the sinful hearts of men are hardened in a corrupt state.  Administering the rod of correction to your own rebellious and disobedient children will tend to straighten out crooked ways, but it is the LORD who has the power to change people.

Solomon followed up in Ecclesiastes 8:12:  "Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him."  Solomon also realised there will be people who continue in their sin regardless of the consequences they face or evade.  Since everyone will be brought before the LORD in judgment who always does right, we do not need to worry if justice will be done.  Rather than primarily concerning himself with emboldened sinners, Solomon wisely pointed out his great confidence it will be well with those who fear God.  No one knows the day or hour our souls will be required of us, yet we can know how to obtain God's favour by faith in Jesus Christ today and always.

We have all gone astray, yet by God's grace He saves all who trust in Him.  Psalm 116:5-8 affirms, "Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful. ⁶ The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. ⁷ Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. ⁸ For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling."  The decisions of the government or bad choices of those who break the law is not nearly as important as each of us to choose to fear God and walk in His ways.  Even if we are run over by an illegal e-bike and the rider is never caught, we can have rest in the LORD who has delivered our souls from death and deals bountifully with us.