Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Deuteronomy 5-9
Although we are often struck by the enormity and complexity of the truths contained in Scripture, God’s Word from time to time crystallizes vast concepts into brief, pithy statements. What Jesus called “the first and greatest commandment” is one of these. “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” (vs. 5) So lofty a statement deserves a worthy verbal fanfare, and Moses provides it in the first three verses of the chapter.
The direction given to Israel through Moses was designed to produce four results. First, God gave His law so Israel would fear the Lord. Such an awe-filled respect should be expressed by keeping all His decrees and commands. The outcome of such behavior would be seen in the second purpose of the law, that Israel might enjoy long life. Israel was to understand that each successive breath was taken by the permission of the Creator and never to take a long life for granted.
The third purpose of the divine law was to allow the long lives of Israel’s people to go well. Whether the nation prospered or struggled would be connected with their devotion to God. The final stated purpose of the law was that Israel would increase greatly in the land they were receiving. The land could support such an increase because it was a fertile place, flowing with milk and honey. This statement of blessing, occurring twenty times in the Old Testament, is a poetic way of describing the land’s rich potential.
We, as Christians, must fight the motivation to be faithful to God in order to be blessed. We should be motivated to faithfulness because of our love, thankfulness, and respect for God. Doing in order to get is still immature and selfish at the root, and we must learn to grow beyond that immaturity to serving God out of genuine love for Him.
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to grow in my love for you.
- Lord, please help me to grow in my gratitude for you.
- Lord, please help me to grow in my respect for you.
Political
- Representative Andrea Schoroeder – District 43 – Clarkston
- Representative Nate Shannon – District 25 – Sterling Heights
- Representative Jason Sheppard – District 56 – Temperance