Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 10-11
Scripture Focus: And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good? (Deuteronomy 10.12-13)
Devotional Thought: "Do you want sprinkles on that?" I ask Lana that every time I get her ice cream. I know she wants sprinkles, but I say it just to aggravate her! We've been together long enough that we pretty much know what each other likes, so we don't really need to ask. It's good that way. But, there was a time, when we didn't know each other that well, and those questions really were legit!
In Deuteronomy 10, the nation of Israel was like that in their relationship with God. They really needed to be told what God wanted. So, God did just that, using Moses as a mouthpiece.
These things apply to us today, too. God says, "Here's what I require..."
• Fear me. We must realize that God is God and we are his creatures. He loves us, yes, but he is God.
• Walk in my ways. The way of the Lord is merciful. He walks on paths of love. Are we walking in mercy and love?
• Love me. Though we recognize he is God, we also realize that he loves us enough to give his one and only Son to die for us. We can love God with abandon, without fear of being disappointed.
• Serve me with all your heart and soul. A heart of love naturally wants to serve. "What can I do for you, Jesus?"
• Keep my commandments. The way of his commandments is a way of peace and significance. To walk in any other way is to miss our purpose.
Let's walk so close to God that we will know the answer to, "Do you want sprinkles on that?"
Prayer: Lord, help me to please you, to live in your way. Help me to live in freedom, love, and service and so find fulfillment. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 15.1-5
1 O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart; 3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; 4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
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