Life in God and His word
So Moses came with Joshua son of Nun and recited all the words of this song to the people. When Moses had finished reciting all these words to the people of Israel, he added: “Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions. These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.” Deuteronomy 32:44-47 The Word of God is not merely a source of helpful suggestions, preemptive warnings, or inspirational thoughts. From our text, Moses told the Israelites that the Word of God is life itself! God through Moses, gathered the children of Israel at the edge of the Promised Land to remind them of what they had been through while they were in the wilderness. They had spent forty years in a desert because their parents did not listen to God’s word. They would rather trust other’s opinion that they completely forgot the God who had been with them meeting their needs. Now, Moses told the next generation of the Israelites that their parents died without seeing the Promised Land because they had not believed God’s word. Many of them knew that they died and did not reach the Promise Land as consequences of their disobedience to God’s word. Over the years, God’s word had become the most important thing in the life of the Israelites. They believed God commanded His people to bind His words on their hearts, to teach them diligently to their children, and to regularly discuss them in their homes (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9). It was very important that God would remind them that His word should hold a prominent place in the daily lives of His people. It is a great temptation to think and be motivated in life by simply getting more of what we want such as an exciting job or great career, a loving spouse and children, robust health, or the money to buy a bigger home or newer car. However it is important to a child of God that we seek His will and what glorifies Him. It is about giving God the prominent place and having His word direct our lives because whatever force or power has first place in our lives will drive our decisions and shape our future. How we value God’s Word will be revealed not only by what we say but also by what we do. To deliberately disregard God’s Word is to reject life itself. Let us choose to listen and obey God’s Word for it is only by doing these that we will experience all that God has in store for us. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33).
Blessings,
Noel De Guzman
www.my-wbc.com
