Today’s Tasting: Deuteronomy 11–13 (MSG): Moses speaks to Israel, cautioning them to obey God:
“So love God, your God; guard well his rules and regulations; obey his commandments for the rest of time” (Deuteronomy 11:1).
Moses lists the rewards for obedience to God:
“From now on if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today, love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you, he’ll take charge of sending the rain at the right time, both autumn and spring rains, so that you’ll be able to harvest your grain, your grapes, your olives” (11:13–14).
“Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night. Inscribe them on the doorposts and gates of your cities so that you’ll live a long time, and your children with you, on the soil that God promised to give your ancestors for as long as there is a sky over the Earth” (11:18-21).
Moses warns them against worshipping the false gods they will find among the other nations when they take over their land and tells them to be careful to do only what God has commanded:
“Diligently do everything I command you, the way I command you: don’t add to it; don’t subtract from it” (12:32).
Today’s Nourishment: God makes it very plain in these verses that our most important and ultimate goals (then and now) are to love God and follow and obey His commands. God told the Israelites that as they went into the promised land they needed to follow His commands and serve Him with everything they had. He told them to place His words on their hearts and get them deep inside their souls. He wanted them to worship Him only, and warned them against idolatry. Last, but not least, He warned them against false prophets and dreamers (see 13:1–3). Then, He made them a promise. I love it! He told them that if they diligently kept all His commandments He would do his part and drive out all the nations that stood in their way. God said, “I’ve brought you today 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” (11:26–28).
Today, will you love God, serve Him only with your whole being, and follow and obey all He commands you to do so that you may be blessed and not cursed? Joshua 24:15 tells us to choose this day who we will serve. Will you choose God today?
Tomorrow’s Delight: Deuteronomy 14-16
Jacinta Hampton
Website: justjacinta.wordpress.com
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Thanks Jacinta, good word. Yes I choose to serve God. I want His blessings for my family and for things to go well for us. I choose to remember those past victories which help me stay focused on the goodness of our God. He truly is a God of covenant and promise!