Growing up, I can think of many phrases used by many adults when I decided to make some poor choices. I know I deserved many of these words and the consequences that came from the choices I made. I don’t ever recall Deuteronomy 10:16 being quoted when being talked to. This verse has many versions, but I will use the Good News Version.
16 So then, from now on be obedient to the Lord and stop being stubborn.
Various mentors from churches and friends’ parents spoke to me in ways that helped plant a seed of truth and a seed to give hope to a disobedient person. Today I still have those who speak life when the world presses in. Those who, instead of pointing to false hope, point to our true hope. (I’m reflecting on a recent sermon I just heard) Who speaks to you when you have any sense of doubt?
Deuteronomy 11:1-2 says, “Love the Lord your God and always obey all his laws. 2 Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him. It was you, not your children, who had these experiences. You saw the Lord‘s greatness, his power, his might,
God is with you through it all. We need to love, trust, and obey. You may be asking, ” Can I wait? What if I just put it off till another day or time? But…. as you read a little further.
26 “Today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse— 27 a blessing, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; 28 but a curse, if you disobey these commands and turn away to worship other gods that you have never worshiped before.
We have today. This is your choice. What will you choose?
But wait, how long will we have to obey?
Deuteronomy 12:1 “Here are the laws that you are to obey as long as you live in the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Listen to them!
As long as we live. We have to listen, learn, trust, obey, and teach. A while back, a friend of mine was talking about all the many amazing things he was doing to serve the Lord. It is a true blessing how they were able to do so much. My initial response based on what I had going on in my life was that I was praying to be more obedient. I can tell the more obedience I have, the closer I feel to God.
8 “When that time comes, you must not do as you have been doing. Until now you have all been worshiping as you please, 9 because you have not yet entered the land that the Lord your God is giving you, where you can live in peace.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You know what we will all face, have faced, and are facing right now. Let us each take time now to remember and lean in close to the love, grace, and true hope we only have in you. Father, we know our disobedient selves need you, and nothing in this world will ever give us the true peace that comes from you. We love you and submit our will to you today. We need you.
Amen
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 10-14, Psalm 5, Luke 8