“The bottom line in the Christian life is obedience and most people don’t even like the word.” Charles Stanley
“Obedience to God is the pathway to the life you really want to live.” Joyce Meyer
Our Call to Obedience
“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgements, just as the Lord my God commanded me that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
Deuteronomy 4:5-6
Moses was a great leader who was called by God from the burning bush to lead God’s chosen people. Even though he had seen many miracles and spent forty days with the Lord on Mount Sinai, in the end he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land.
Moses was a gracious man and full of humility. He addressed the people before they crossed over to the Promised Land, instructing them not to depart from the Lord’s statutes and judgements. He told them to be careful to observe and obey God’s commandments, for in doing so, they would find wisdom and understanding. Moses was teaching the people of Israel a life lesson learnt from his own grave failure to obey God’s command at Kadesh, which ultimately prohibited him from entering the Promised Land. Moses had learnt the importance of being obedient to God’s voice and so he placed great emphasis on teaching the children of Israel this important lesson.
A second aspect of Moses’ teaching was the call for the Israelites to live a life worthy of the Lord so that they would be a witness to the other nations who, seeing the blessings on Israel, would themselves, seek to learn more about the God of Israel.
So how can we apply this to our lives this morning? Some of us may be leaders and others may be like the people of Israel. Whatever we are, the call is the same for all of us. The passage says that our lives should reflect the Lord so let our lives shine before men so that they may see our good works and glorify God.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your son, Jesus, through whom I am saved by Your grace and mercy. Help me, Lord, to understand the value of Your grace and love for me, so that I may truly love You by walking in Your ways. Amen.
God bless you,
Theo and Manju