His Commands Are Meant to Bless Us and Glorify Him
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 4:1-8 (NASB)
“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the Lord has done in the case of Baal-peor, for all the men who followed Baal-peor, the Lord your God has destroyed them from among you. 4 But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you.
5 “See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. 6 So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him? 8 Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today?
SUMMARY
Moses preaches to the Israelites to obey God’s commands so that they may enter and possess the land God has given them. Moses also reminds them that in the past, those who had disobeyed God at Baal-peor subsequently experienced the wrath of God. Moses explains that by following God’s commands fully, the Israelites will stand out even among great nations for their outstanding wisdom and righteousness. Other nations will come to proclaim the greatness of the God of the Israelites, who is near to His people, and whose commands and judgments are truly righteous and just.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
It is a loving plea from Moses to the Israelites to obey God because He is so worthy of our trust. He is a God who is always near to us and responds to our call (v. 7). There is truly none like our God. His statutes and judgments are set far apart from imperfect human ways of man. His ways are truly righteous and perfect. Therefore, as a follower of Christ, I must live out my life with this faith and trusting obedience to God.
God’s character of greatness also shines through the obedience of His people, which even non-believers recognize (v. 6). Faithful obedience to our perfect God can be a powerful witness to those who do not know Jesus yet, but surely need Him.
APPLICATION
Hearing of all the societal injustice and unrest so prevalent right now overwhelms and disturbs my soul. But God restores my soul each time I come to our quiet place of fellowship. Thereafter, He also reminds me of His commands that are meant to bless me and glorify Him. I resolve to obey His commands with faith. The goodness of His commands prevails among all the worldly ways.
I don't think it was a coincidence that recently I was reminded of our church’s theme from last year to “Live Like Jesus.” As a church, we were exhorted to show or speak at least one outward act of kindness, pray five intercessory prayers, and read three chapters of the Bible each day. Although this was a past theme, they are such practical ways to obediently live out my faith. I will not do this from my own determination to track what I can accomplish in a day, but instead as a means to live out my faith in obedience to God. I hope that God’s grace and light can shine through these habits of obedience in faith through this dark and chaotic time.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, I want to obey Your commands with trust and faith. You are worthy of my obedience. Guide me in my life with Your commands that You may be glorified, and that I may be blessed as a child of God. I praise You for Your perfection, and thank You for Your loving commands for Your children.
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