Moses continued to pour out his heart to the people. To me it is like someone on their death bed, and you know it is the last time you may hear them speak to you, so you lean down your ear to their mouth listening carefully to the wisdom that they want to pass on. These are Moses’ kids and grandkids. He wants them to do what it right before God. He is giving them a speech to help them have a blessed life.
So love God, your God; guard well his rules and regulations; obey his commandments for the rest of time. (Deut. 11:1 MSG)
Moses summed it up in 19 words. Easy right? Things look easy on tablets, but I have found that it is not that easy in your walk. Sometimes I do wrong unintentionally. I’ll see something on tv and think ooh I want that. Is that coveting? The first time the Israelites were left to themselves they failed the test and partied and danced around a golden calf. They also did other things that angered their God. So, Moses knew what he was dealing with. Israel was stubborn, rebellious, and did not trust God. He had prayed to God on their behalf, and God heard and held back His wrath. So, with his last breath to them he implores them to trust and obey God.
So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you? Just this: Live in His presence in Holy reverence, follow the road he sets out for you, love Him, serve God, your God with everything you have in you, obey the commandments and regulations of God that I’m commanding you today—live a good life. (Deut. 10:12-13 MSG)
I’ve brought you to the crossroads of Blessing and Curse.
The Blessing: if you listen obediently to the commandments of God, your God, which I command you today.
The Curse: if you don’t pay attention to the commandments of God, your God, but leave the road that I command you today, following other gods of which you know nothing. (Deut. 11:26-28 MSG)
Don’t continue doing things the way we’re doing them at present, each of us doing as we wish. Until now you haven’t arrived at the goal, the resting place, the inheritance that God your God, is giving you. But the minute you cross the Jordan River and settle into the land God, your God, is enabling you to inherit, he’ll give you rest from all your surrounding enemies. You’ll be able to settle down and live in safety. (Deut. 12: 8-10 MSG.)
The land you are about to cross the river and take for your own is a land of mountains and valleys; it drinks water that rains from the sky. It’s a land that God, your God, personally tends—He’s the gardener—He alone keeps His eye on it all year long. Deut. 11:11-12 MSG)
A long time ago, when I was in a bible study called BSF, I first read about the blessings and cursing and it was then I decided I wanted to have a blessed life, not a cursed one. But it is an individual choice, and everyone doesn’t think like me. I have a simple mind, but I am also stubborn and have a rebellious streak—like when there is a sign “Do Not Touch” I just feel the urge to touch. I don’t know why! But, it is up to me to make the right choice each and every day. But as I read the benefits of living under the blessings—rest from your enemies, safety, provision of livestock and crops—it seems like a no brainer. Who wouldn’t want God’s provision for their life, but I know from experience that there will be times where I take the wrong road, but I can only learn from my mistakes and get back on track with God. God sees my heart and He knows if my heart is bent towards him or away from Him. I heard Joyce Meyer say this week “weakness is different than wickedness”. God knows if I am weak or wicked. God also knows if Israel is being weak or wicked.
Instead find the site that God, your God, will choose and mark it with His name as a common center for all the tribes of Israel. (Deut. 12: 5 MSG)
As God wanted to be in the center of the tribes of Israel, He also wants to be in the center of my life. Once I became a Christ follower, the center of my life, my heart, was marked with His name. And, so it is for everyone else who put their faith and trust in Jesus.
Diligently do everything I command you, the way I command you: don’t add to it, don’t subtract from it.(Deut. 12:32 MSG)
It is not easy for me to do everything exactly like I should. I like to take short cuts sometimes. But when it comes to the things of God, that is not allowed. I could add or subtract just because I don’t know fully all the things of God. I need to be sure what I say or do is accurate before I say it. I am a blurter and then a regreter. But God needs us to show Him off correctly, so that others around us do not get confused on what behavior is acceptable for a Christ follower.
By all means, do the right thing in God’s eyes. (Deut. 12:28c MSG)
That sums all things up. It is God I must strive to please, not other people. For if I am following God’s ways, all people will be treated fairly and just.
Oh, my Father, who art in Heaven, Holy are your ways. Teach me daily to walk in a way that is pleasing to you. Help me to be a good example for others to follow, not one who leads one astray. Help me to stay under your blessings, because I know that I am the best me I can be, when I am walking close to you. Never let me stray away, I want to be under the shelter of your wings forevermore! Amen and Amen!!
Carol (carolvorwe)
Sixty-six books in a year 