Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 32, 33, 34; 1 Corinthians 2
Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:46-47
“…Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you — they are your life…”
Observation: These words of Moses to Joshua and the nation of Israel are powerful! Here, Moses is nearing the end of his life and he is giving the people one last message. He is very aware of the fact that he will be taken from these people whom he has led for forty years. So he does his best to communicate clearly to them all the truths that will help them to succeed. (In fact most of the book of Deuteronomy is Moses’ words of training and preparation for Joshua and the people.) But look at these words, coming near the end. Notice the passion in each phrase: “take to heart”, “all the words”, “solemnly declared”, “command your children”, “obey carefully”, “they are not just idle words for you”, “they are your life”. They must take seriously absolutely every word Moses is saying. Will they? Probably not, and certainly not if they are not urged to. Why?
Application: The answer is that people rarely listen all that well. We all hear a lot of words but how often to we listen as Moses was telling his hearers to listen? I would suggest that it is not often at all. But as I read Moses powerful and passionate plea to his people, I feel it resonating within me as well. Do I take to heart all the truths that have been delivered to me? Do I obey carefully everything I say I believe? Or isn’t it true of me (and most Christians I know) that I do treat much of what I have been taught as “idle words”? I believe that I need very much to hear the words of Moses that the truths that I have been taught “are my life”, that is, my survival depends on truly living according to them. It is far too easy to live comfortably in a comfortable world without challenging or being challenged in any significant way. Jesus said that if I am to follow Him I must deny myself and take up my cross daily. I’m not sure everything that this implies, but I’m pretty sure I’m not even close to fulfilling what it means. What I hear Moses saying to me rings true to a theme that the Lord has been putting on my heart: “take it to the next level”. I see so many people of other religions or even of non-christian cults who take their faith much more seriously than most so-called Christians, including myself. This broken world needs an on-fire church filled with passionate believers who truly believe what they say they believe and whose lives demonstrate that belief undeniably.
Prayer: Lord, help me to take it to the next level. I ask you to help me to put aside the temptations of ease and indulgence and deny the weakness of my undisciplined and procrastinating human nature. Deep down I truly know that Your words really are my life and that they are not idle words in any way. Rekindle a passion within me so that I will forcefully and consistently act in obedience to Your will and ways. Strengthen me in my inner man so that I may be more and more of what You have purposed for my life and that I may lead others to Your purpose for their lives.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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