Deuteronomy Chapter 9: Verses 23-24 (NIV-UK)
And when the Lord sent you out from Kadesh Barnea, he said, ‘Go up and take possession of the land I have given you.’ But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. You did not trust him or obey him. You have been rebellious against the Lord ever since I have known you.
Deuteronomy Chapter 10: Verses 12-13 (NIV-UK)
And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
Luke Chapter 10: Verses 25-28 (NIV-UK)
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’
He answered, ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’
Moses begins his final farewell to Israel with these verses in Deuteronomy, and Jesus discusses the same subject with a clever lawyer. It reminds me that God doesn’t require that I rush around doing things for Him, even if they are good and right. He wants me to respect and love Him to be obedient in all that He asks and to show love and mercy to everyone I come across. Its not complicated really, and is something all of us can comprehend, even from an early age. The other thing that jumps out at me is that Moses reminds the people that everything God asks of us is all for our good. God is good. He wants nothing but good for us because He loves us. Just as we want the same for those we love. God sent Jesus to pay the ultimate sacrifice for our good. And yet, like the Israelites we often grumble and quickly forget God’s ways. Moses reminded the Israelites of this and also that they were not being given the Promised Land because of anything they themselves had achieved. It was only by God’s grace.
The great thing about that means that God’s grace is also available to us and His goodness and mercy are not as a result of anything we have done or will do. All we have from God is because of what Jesus did for us. Moses told the Israelites in verse 21 of Deuteronomy Chapter 10, that “the Lord is your praise”. He is indeed. And that gives me reason to smile.
Dear Lord.
How great and marvellous are Your ways! I am aware that all that I have, and all the doors that have opened up for me have been done because of You. May I never forget that and think that all I have achieved is all of my own doing. As Jesus told His disciples, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” Thank You for all that You continue to do in me. May I always acknowledge Your hand on my life. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.