In the United States there is a saying, "You made your bed, now lie in it." This means that you put yourself into a situation purposely, now you must live with the consequences. You insisted on doing something, or on living a certain way, and now you must accept the results. Sometimes this is stated to individuals who are complaining about what they are undergoing in life. These individuals insisted on doing something even when others had warned them of the consequences. Now that the consequences have come, they want to complain, gripe and whine.

In Isaiah 28, Isaiah tells of the coming punishment of the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. In verse 20, we read, "For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it." This is Isaiah's way of saying, "You made your bed, now lie in it."

Israel and Judah had been warned by God numerous times. God had spoken through Judges and Prophets. The people had been told by Moses long ago that they must live for God or reap the consequences. But, the people of God had refused to listen. They even attempted to make covenants with evil rulers to save themselves from destruction.

God, through Isaiah, tells them that their discipline is coming. He will make both kingdoms go into slavery. Many will be killed. Many will die in a foreign land. Only a few will return to the promised land.

Do not be like the northern kingdom, Israel and the southern kingdom, Judah. Do not ignore the Word of God. Study your Bible. Learn what you must do to obey God. Then always obey him and serve him. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

In Malachi 3:16, we read, "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name."

We have noticed how those that fear the Lord speak often with one another. And we noticed that those who obey God have their names written down as a remembrance by God.

Now we notice that those that have their names and deeds written down as a remembrance are those that thought upon his name. The word "thought" comes from a Hebrew word that means to meditate on, to purpose, to think with great care and exactness.

In verses 13-15, Malachi had written that the Israelites had considered it vain to worship and serve God. They were saying there was no profit in keeping his ordinances. Verse Sixteen tells us exactly the opposite.

We should do everything we can to think and meditate upon his name. There is wonderful purpose involved in thinking on the name of the Lord. Whatever we do in life should glorify God. We should never approach any decision without considering what God would do and what he wants us to do. Great care should be taken in all actions and decisions. By keeping him and his Word in our thoughts, we will stay true to him, and we will please him.

Keep reading your Bible. Study it. Meditate on the Lord. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.