LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD
Richard Harris
Today’s Scripture: “You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you.” Deuteronomy 6:17, ESV
Theme: Diligent attention to His commands is a sign of respect and honor for the LORD. Obeying His Word in turn brings us light and life.
WITH ALL YOUR HEART
As the freed Israelites forty-year journey of liberation to the Promised Land neared its completion, the LORD reminded Moses of his bestowed blessings on everything they had done (Deuteronomy 2:7). He had been watching every step they had taken through the great wilderness. They lacked nothing throughout their test-filled journey.
The Greek word “deuteronomion” translates to “Second Law,” a repetition of the Law that was first delivered to Moses by God. The original Ten Commandments we find in the Book of Exodus, and Moses received them soon after the children of Israel left Egypt. From Genesis until the Book of Deuteronomy, God had revealed laws, rules for worship, ethical standards, and principles throughout all human history (Adam, Noah, Job, Elihu, etc.). The Mosaic Law became the later codification and expansion of these rules for the nation of Israel.
As Moses delivered this “Second Law,” he did so with full knowledge that he would never step onto the soil of the Promised Land. Yet he urges the next generation of wanderers to obey the decrees and regulations that the LORD God had commanded their previous generations with all in their hearts.
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH
Deuteronomy 6:17 reminds us that following our God goes beyond belief in our minds only; true belief is reflected in our actions also. Are we truly obedient to His Word? Are we taking His commands seriously? A life of honor to God includes honoring Him with both thoughts and actions.
We live in a time and place of freedom and autonomy. We say we trust His ways. We claim fulfillment. Moses thought he was applying these ways of obedience, but yet he fell short in many ways. Where do we fall short? It’s not a burden to obey the words of our LORD, yet we forget our way sometimes as the world dumps on us. While writing this Devotion, I began to let my worldly stresses creep into my task. Moses fell into that same trap. Like Moses I slipped up, wrongly thinking that obedience to God is not a necessary part of life’s burden. Obedience is - and should be - our constant and joyful response because we trust in God’s plans and goodness
Let us prioritize obedience to God’s commands be in all that we do, in every decision we make, and incorporate that obedience into our life and faith journey. Let us never waiver … let us experience the blessings of a life of obedience to our LORD. He is a faithful God to those who faithfully walk with His will.
Let today’s verse connect you to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through John 14:15 (NIV), where He said, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Jesus’ love is displayed through His steadfast obedience to his Father, letting His actions show what true faith is. It is not a burden, but a way to walk your life in step with the will of God.
Moses set an example for us to follow, when God chose him to guide his people from Egypt to the Promised Land. While Moses often did right as he followed the LORD, he failed God also, just like many of us, with our moments of disobedience, impatience, anger, and failures. With all our soul and with all our strength, we must follow Jesus diligently. When we stay close to Him, we will begin keeping the commandments of our LORD more each day.
Make It Personal: Today’s Scripture is not new to us. Many of us carry childhood memories of loving individuals who led us by their good example. They, like Moses, adhered to God’s tenets, and we followed them, then we followed God, which led us to desire His ways. God gave these laws to Moses, and they were intended to help all of us draw closer to God, live well, and be set apart. With all of your might, demonstrate your love of God by showing your willing obedience to Him.
Pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your guiding words, and the opportunity to set the example by adhering to Your commands and laws so that a new generation may learn to follow and trust You. Thank You for Your loving interaction with all generations of Your children. We love You LORD, with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our strength. Help us to follow Your laws because we know You set them up for our benefit and the benefit of those we love. We love You LORD, with all our Christian minds through the ultimate sacrifice of your Son - our Savior - Jesus Christ. Amen.
Read: John 14:6, Numbers 20:2-13, Deuteronomy 5:1-5, Deuteronomy 6:1-7
Weekly Memory Verse: “For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,’ not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17, ESV