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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Moses told the people, “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!” (Deut 6:4 NASB). This statement affirms: (1) You are the faithful, covenant-making and covenant-keeping God, (2) You are my God, the God who enters into a personal covenant relationship with me, and (3) You are the only true God, and thus the only God for me! Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me about Moses’ second sermon to the Israelites in the plains of Moab at the end of the 40-year wilderness period. This sermon focused on the covenant you made with Israel at Mount Sinai, and it called the people to covenant loyalty and obedience. Moses emphasized that the covenant had been made with the nation of Israel, and thus it applied to all Israelites for generations to come (Deut 5:3). Moses repeated the Ten Commandments which you had spoken audibly from the mountain, and he recalled how pleased you were when the people feared you and wanted to obey. Moses then gave them the greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deut 6:5; Matt 22:37–38). Moses continued by pointing out that loving you meant teaching your words to their children and being diligent to explain why your laws were the foundation of their lives. As a Christian, I too have entered into a covenant relationship with you. This covenant is the New Covenant spoken of by Jeremiah and mediated through the blood of your Son, Jesus Christ (cf. Jer 31:31–34; Heb 8). This covenant also has rules and guidelines for my behavior, namely, loving you and loving others (cf. Matt 22:34–40). Jesus echoed Moses’ call to covenant loyalty and obedience when He instituted the New Covenant (cf. John 14:15), and He made it clear that I would fulfill all the Mosaic Covenant required as I put His law of love into daily practice (Matt 7:12; Rom 13:9–10; Gal 5:14). Reflection Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Am I keeping your commandments with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my might? Request Father, give me such a fear of you that I will stay far away from sin and such a love of you that I will obey your will in all things (Deut 5:28–29). Thanksgiving Thank you for your assurance, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love” (John 15:10). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Happy the Home When God Is There” by Henry Ware, Jr. Meditation Verse: Deuteronomy 6:7. |