Deuteronomy Chapter 11: Verses 7-8 (NLT Translation
“But you have seen the Lord perform all these mighty deeds with your own eyes. Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter.”
This morning I heard a sermon based on a verse from a few chapters further along in Deuteronomy Chapter 16 (Verse 10). “Then celebrate the Festival of Harvest to honor the Lord your God. Bring him a voluntary offering in proportion to the blessings you have received from him.” We are reminded once more this Easter Sunday of the great gift of reconciliation with the Father because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Earlier in the verses of chapter 11 of Deuteronomy, Moses had also reminded the Israelites of all the mighty deeds that they had seen God do for them.
Surely therefore obedience to God is not unreasonable after all He has done for us? The Israelites were told that alongside their obedience they would receive the strength that they needed to take possession of the land that God was giving to them.
It struck me when reading these verses that often when we are called to do something for God, our first reaction is sometimes, “I can’t do that!” But the lesson for us is that we will get the strength and means to do what God asks of us by being obedient. God will give us what we need when we actively do His bidding and not before. It’s not in our strength that we attend to what God asks, it’s in His. Our responsibility is simply to do what we’re told. God will take care of the rest!
Dear God,
Once more this Resurrection Day I remember Christ’s obedience to Your will that brought my reconciliation with You. May I also be obedient to You in thanks for Your many blessings to me. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.