One of the most commonly used 10 codes corresponds
with this past Saturday’s date, 10–4. Dispatchers for security, transportation
and other industries listen for a response of 10–4 to acknowledge that they
have been heard and understood. Many believe that the code 10–4 means “yes” but
“acknowledged” is the accurate translation.
Acknowledge, according to Merriam-Webster’s
dictionary, carries several meanings. The first and primary listing is, “to
recognize the rights, authority or status of…” Dispatchers have the authority
to give directions because of the position that they occupy. When one hears and
understands a transmission from the dispatcher, the directions should be
carried out. When one contacts the dispatch center with information, the
dispatcher will also acknowledge with the code 10–4. Both are acknowledging
that they have not only heard the information transmitted but they are now
performing the necessary actions that transmission requires.
“In all your ways know, recognize and acknowledge
him and he will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6
AMP) This wise advice from King Solomon brings many benefits. Understanding the
full meaning of acknowledge helps us to walk in the straight paths. When we
acknowledge the Lord, we are recognizing His right, authority and status in our
lives. We will automatically follow His directions immediately and without
question. A response of “yes” is inferred in our acknowledgment of His voice.
We are not to question or debate but simply obey. We realize that He sees and
knows far more than we do of what lies ahead.
God’s status places Him far above us. “Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with
approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and
we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3 AMP) When we
recognize God for who He is, we want to love and serve Him. “ And
you shall love the Lord your God out of and with your whole heart and out of and with all your soul
(your life) and out of and with
all your mind (with our faculty of thought and your moral understanding)
and out of and with
all your strength. This is the
first and principal commandment.:” (Mark 12:30 AMP) To acknowledge God
is to love Him with our whole being.
When we love God with our whole heart, we will follow His directions without
argument or debate. “Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to
censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be
condemned and pronounced
guilty; acquit and forgive and release (give up resentment, let it
drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and released.” (Luke 6:37 AMP) Sometimes
the commands seem extremely difficult. We recognize His right to expect our
obedience. God knows best and He will bless our efforts. Forgiveness, although not always be easy, will be offered
freely when we acknowledge God. Be gentle and forbearing with one another
and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another,
readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].(Colossians 3:13 Amp)
Recognizing the authority
of Jesus Christ causes us to willingly and boldly carry out His plans. These
plans include sharing the gospel with others. “Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to
them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given
to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Teaching
them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you
all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very]
close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it
be).” (Matthew
28:18-20 AMP) We desire to bring about His will here in the earth and see
others come to know Him.
The other definitions listed in
Webster’s dictionary include to disclose knowledge or agreement with; to
express gratitude or obligation for; and to recognize as genuine or valid. All of these apply to our relationship with
Jesus Christ. Truly acknowledging God in all of our ways causes us to agree
with, be grateful to and share the truth about Him.
Acknowledge the Lord
in all of you do from this day forward. When you hear His voice respond as the prophet
Isaiah did, “…Here am I; send me.”
(Isaiah 6:8 AMP) Then our “10-4” will always indicate “I have heard you, Lord,
and I obey.”
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