Deuteronomy Day 1
Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9.
When I think of the book of Deuteronomy, I think of a pep rally at a school before the big homecoming game. The purpose of the pep rally (whether it’s successful or not) is to raise school spirit and get people excited for the upcoming event. In a lot of ways, the book of Deuteronomy is like the pep rally for the Israelites before they inherit the Promised Land. The land that they failed to inherit back in Numbers because of their disobedience. Their 40 years of wandering have almost come to an end. Moses is reminding them of what is truly important and how they should live in the book of Deuteronomy, all to prepare them to thrive in this Promised Land before they inherit it.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Most importantly of all the rules and reminders that Moses gives the Israelites is this one, to love God with everything. Why? Because everything else that they were commanded and called to do would flow out of a deep love for God. Notice the next line, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts”. It’s as if Moses is showing how we can begin to love God with all of our heart, soul, and strength. I want you to take a second and consider that your love for God is evident by your obedience to God.
No one is perfect and we all fall short, a love for God doesn’t make us perfectly obey all of God’s commands. However, it’s important for us to remember that the greatest motivator to begin obeying God’s commands is a love for God. When I love my friends, parents, or a significant other, I don’t want to do the things that hurt them or frustrate them. My love for my wife is the thing that motivates me to stop doing the things that hurt her and strive to do the things that she loves. Moses’ point here in Deuteronomy 6 is that the same is true for our relationship with God.
If you have been struggling to obey God’s commands and live in the way that He has called you to live, evaluate your love for God. What is currently motivating you to obey God? A desire to be good? To be recognized by others? To stay out of trouble? Maybe if you are honest, there if very little that is motivating you to live for God currently. Wherever you may find yourself, remember that the greatest motivator for obedience is love. The good news is, you are on the right track. Kickstarting or re-kindling your love for God starts with spending time with Him, so soak in this time and reflect on God’s great love for you. As you do so, your love for Him will grow and your desire to obey Him will increase too.
Questions to consider.
What is motivating you to obey God right now, other than His love?
Our love for God grows as we receive His love personally, what things make you feel the love of God? (worship music, a quiet time, friends that act like Christ, time with a leader, etc.) How can you make space for these things more consistently in life?
Take a few moments and reflect on God’s love for you. What do you think God thinks of when He looks at you? What is He most proud of you for? What does He love about you?
When I think of the book of Deuteronomy, I think of a pep rally at a school before the big homecoming game. The purpose of the pep rally (whether it’s successful or not) is to raise school spirit and get people excited for the upcoming event. In a lot of ways, the book of Deuteronomy is like the pep rally for the Israelites before they inherit the Promised Land. The land that they failed to inherit back in Numbers because of their disobedience. Their 40 years of wandering have almost come to an end. Moses is reminding them of what is truly important and how they should live in the book of Deuteronomy, all to prepare them to thrive in this Promised Land before they inherit it.
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Most importantly of all the rules and reminders that Moses gives the Israelites is this one, to love God with everything. Why? Because everything else that they were commanded and called to do would flow out of a deep love for God. Notice the next line, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts”. It’s as if Moses is showing how we can begin to love God with all of our heart, soul, and strength. I want you to take a second and consider that your love for God is evident by your obedience to God.
No one is perfect and we all fall short, a love for God doesn’t make us perfectly obey all of God’s commands. However, it’s important for us to remember that the greatest motivator to begin obeying God’s commands is a love for God. When I love my friends, parents, or a significant other, I don’t want to do the things that hurt them or frustrate them. My love for my wife is the thing that motivates me to stop doing the things that hurt her and strive to do the things that she loves. Moses’ point here in Deuteronomy 6 is that the same is true for our relationship with God.
If you have been struggling to obey God’s commands and live in the way that He has called you to live, evaluate your love for God. What is currently motivating you to obey God? A desire to be good? To be recognized by others? To stay out of trouble? Maybe if you are honest, there if very little that is motivating you to live for God currently. Wherever you may find yourself, remember that the greatest motivator for obedience is love. The good news is, you are on the right track. Kickstarting or re-kindling your love for God starts with spending time with Him, so soak in this time and reflect on God’s great love for you. As you do so, your love for Him will grow and your desire to obey Him will increase too.
Questions to consider.
What is motivating you to obey God right now, other than His love?
Our love for God grows as we receive His love personally, what things make you feel the love of God? (worship music, a quiet time, friends that act like Christ, time with a leader, etc.) How can you make space for these things more consistently in life?
Take a few moments and reflect on God’s love for you. What do you think God thinks of when He looks at you? What is He most proud of you for? What does He love about you?