God's Commands Are Not To Punish, But To Bless
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 5:28-33 (NASB)
28 “The Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, ‘I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. 29 Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever! 30 Go, say to them, “Return to your tents.” 31 But as for you, stand here by Me, that I may speak to you all the commandments and the statutes and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I give them to possess.’ 32 So you shall observe to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.
SUMMARY
The Israelites heard the great voice of the LORD at the mountain of Sinai from the midst of fire, of the cloud and of the thick gloom. At this they trembled and confessed in great fear that they would keep God’s commandments forever. God listened to their confession and was well pleased with His people. God gave the Ten Commandments through Moses to the Israelites so they would live long in the land God has given them and their lives may be blessed.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
As God gave the Ten Commandments at Mount Horeb (Sinai), He was pleased with the Israelites who professed that they would listen to the Word. God promised He will show lovingkindness to those who love Him and keep His commandments (Deut. 5:10).
God’s commandments, statutes, and laws were not given to His people to punish those who failed to obey, but rather to bless to His people. It was from the heart of the generous Father who wishes to give the best to His children.
Sometimes I wonder whether the blessing that my Father wants to give to me is the blessing that I want to receive from the Father. I may have lived tricking myself to believe that worldly blessings such as making a name for myself, securing more financial freedom, and living a comfortable lifestyle are the blessings that I should receive from the Father. But I know clearly that these aren’t the only blessings that God wants for my life.
God granted the blessing of salvation in my life. As much as I want to follow and obey His laws, I find that I desperately fail and need His grace of salvation. His commandments make me realize why I need Jesus, as they give me a reflection of my sins and iniquity. Thank goodness Jesus came to this world and died for my sin on the cross. John 3:16 says, “ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
As I’m indebted to Jesus’ eternal blessing of salvation, I should try to live my life in great reverence of God, thus trying to keep His commandments.
APPLICATION
I need to stop and really ponder why I try to seek worldly blessings over God’s blessings over my life. The fact is, I already received the greatest blessing I can receive, and that is the gift of salvation! All other needs in my life, God will provide one way or the other. He knows what’s good for me better than I do. All I need to do at this moment is to fear Him in reverence and strive to keep His commandments that He promised are good for me. Even if I may stumble from time to time, and I may fail miserably, His loving forgiveness is there to embrace me when I repent.
I will trust that He will provide my needs in His abundance. Rather than focusing on what kind of blessing I want to receive from my Father, I will resolve to pour out my love for Him remembering what He has done for me.
PRAYER
Thank You, God, for Your eternal blessing in my life. Please help me to be grateful for the blessing of salvation You gifted me with, and grant me joy and peace in the Lord. I am weak and I stumble often in following Your lead, but please forgive me when I do. I know You will raise me up in Your arms when I fall. I pray I will live a life worthy of witnessing to Your great name. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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