THE ONE WHO IS LOVE; NEEDS LOVE
God is love.
It should be such a simple thing for us to love him back.
Yet; we are constantly having to be reminded. Isn’t it amazing to find out that God needs love just like you and me?
MORE REMINDERS FROM MOSES
Moses was emphasizing this point again; just before the people began to cross over the Jordan into their new life.
He talks about how things will be. They know they are going to a place that has already been built, and they will be living in nice houses which are already there waiting on their arrival.
They will not have to build up their cities; this has already been done by others and they are now waiting simply to inhabit the cities.
Nor will they have to plant crops; these have already been planted and are simply waiting for an abundant harvest season to happen.
All the people have to do when they arrive is to walk in, sit down and enjoy their prosperous new lives.
God has given it all to them!
Can you imagine what that would feel like?
REMEMBER FROM WHOM YOU RECEIVED THESE GIFTS AND PROMISES
It would be very human for a group of people moving into a much anticipated new place to immediately scope out the living arrangements, or check out the local restaurants, or plan a party with their friends to celebrate their good fortune.
But what would be the right thing to do first?
Since this is typically the case; Moses reminds Israel that they should be thanking God every minute of every day.
There are a million and one different ways to thank God:
God’s thanks should come first – before any celebration or event. First thank God for your blessings; then enjoy the blessings!
One way to thank God is to acknowledge His presence among us when we come to Him in prayer.
Another way is to listen to what God tells us as we spend time in prayer.
Yet another way is to keep God’s laws and follow His best ways to live. This would mean knowing and cherishing the commandments in all that we do, think and say. Especially in the new places of our lives.
The less obvious way of being thankful to God every day is to love your neighbors and treat them exactly as you would want to be treated. God created all people; all people deserve to be treated with love and respect and honor.
When you love and honor a neighbor; you love and honor God.
REMEMBERING SCRIPTURE HONORS GOD
Numbers Chapter Six contains a passage that is repeated every day like clockwork by the faithful people of Israel. Daily; this repetition helps them to remember how important it is to honor God by all that we are, do and say.
The well-used old verse is found in Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear O Israel The Lord Our God, The LORD is One. Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all of your strength.”
The sages say that keeping this one verse will change your life forever.
THAT IT MAY GO WELL WITH YOU
Way back in the days of Moses; God give a promise to all of his servants that keep his ways.
We hear that promise in Deuteronomy 6:1-3; “These are the commands, decrees and laws that the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long-life. Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go will with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you.”
God had brought them out of slavery; they were free. Freedom is a precious gift and it is not to be taken for granted. God also promised them prosperity as long as they continued to obey His commandments and follow His ways.
FREEDOM BELONGS TO THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD
Can you imagine having freedom and prosperity laid at your feet and NOT wanting to be thankful to the One who made it possible?
Yet; today we see people who would trade their freedom and prosperity for a bowl of porridge; like Esau. Many Americans have become so spoiled and ungrateful and ungodly that they no longer appreciate anything that God does for them.
God is everywhere; all around them; but they do not see Him at all and they dishonor Him by not keeping and obeying the commandments.
FINDING THE WAY BACK HOME AFTER SLAVERY
Some accept and obey; but others want to take the long road to joy. In the end God has a plan and you will either be a part of it; or you will lose your way and never find it back.
It is my prayer that America finds her way back and goes on to change and become obedient again; just as these Israelite dreamers, the one’s who did not walk away from the words of Moses; but kept the goal of God’s promises always before them day and night; all the way home.
Dear God; let this be so for us too.