His Children Choose to Love and Obey Him
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 11:26-32 (NASB)
26 “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known. 29 “It shall come about, when the Lord your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, that you shall place the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. 30 Are they not across the Jordan, west of the way toward the sunset, in the land of the Canaanites who live in the Arabah, opposite Gilgal, beside the oaks of Moreh? 31 For you are about to cross the Jordan to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall possess it and live in it, 32 and you shall be careful to do all the statutes and the judgments which I am setting before you today.
SUMMARY
God sends a message to the people of Israel, through His servant Moses once again, the importance of obeying God’s commands. If they choose to listen, then blessings are expected. However, if they do not listen, then curse will be their outcome. He instructs them once again to be very careful to do all that the Lord requires them to do, as they are about to cross the Jordan to possess the land, so that they will fully live in His providence and blessings.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Our God divinely set before His people the choice of blessings or curses. I wondered at times, if God would allow my wandering heart to be completely fixed on Him, and not give me the choice to disobey, then life would be easier to live as a Christian, right? But, as I raise my own kids and teach them how to love me and others, I’m learning more about the relationship that is nurtured and grown in the process. After years of telling them “I love you”, there comes a time when they say voluntarily, “I love you too mommy”. I didn’t force them to say that, they were learning what love was from me and in their little ways, they expressed that love in a personal way. What a joy that brings to a parents’ heart...”it’s all worth it”, we say. In a sense, God showed His greatest love on the cross when we didn’t know what it meant and the cost He had to pay for us. I was oblivious to the truth until He called me. He desired from me a personal relationship and a willing heart that matures and blossoms to confess, “I love You, Lord”- of my own will, my choice. I’m not forced to say it, I choose to follow and desire to obey Him and be fully satisfied in His goodness. The trials will come, it’s just a matter of time...but we have everlasting hope in Him.
1 Peter 2:9 says, “ you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”. We were chosen-what glorious news! And He allowed us to choose Him willingly that we may know Him as our Father and declare His praises.
APPLICATION
In Deuteronomy, God has been very clear in His will for how He wants me to rear our children in these trying times. He consistently repeats His commands to remind our next generation and to remember His great works which He did (Deut. 11:7). He says to teach them when they sit, walk, lie down and when we rise up (Deut. 11:19) -that’s pretty much from sun-up to sun-down. I want our children to know the blessings that come from having a personal relationship with Christ. So I will do my part to make sure that I set an example to them by reading God’s words and praying with them before their bedtimes. I may not be able to control what they do out of the house, but as long as I have them with me, I choose to obey Him because His words are truth and life-giving. And through the choices I make, I pray that our next generation, our children, will reap the blessings of choosing Him for themselves.
PRAYER
Thank You Father for choosing us before the foundation of the world. Thank You Jesus for choosing to die for us on the cross, and now, preparing an eternal place for us. Holy Spirit, we are thankful that You help us choose the right path. We are indebted to Your love and we owe You our lives and give You all the praise. We choose Your blessing; we choose You today. We love You Lord! In Jesus name, amen.
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