In today’s reading, Moses encourages Israel to live in God’s blessing. Living in God’s blessing is the ultimate blessing of God! Notice how simply Moses instructs Israel.
First, love the LORD your God with all your heart and soul!
“You must love the LORD your God…and if you love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and soul…
(Deuteronomy 11:1 & 13, NLT)
Second, carefully obey Him. Obedience is how we show our love to God!
“Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the LORD your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.
(Deuteronomy 11:22, NLT)
Third, as you love and show love to God through obedience, you will have the strength to overcome!
“Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and take over the land you are about to enter.
(Deuteronomy 11:8, NLT)
Fourth, as love and obedience to God produce strength to overcome, victory will be yours through God!
Then the Lord will drive out all the nations ahead of you, though they are much greater and stronger than you, and you will take over their land.
(Deuteronomy 11:23, NLT)
In other words, love + obedience = strength = victory = blessing! Wow!
Here is what I have noticed in my life. When I struggle, lose strength, or grow weary in well-doing, it usually coincides with doubts, fears, impatience, or pride. Victory and blessing then seem far out of reach. The culprit? Love and showing that love to God through obedience have cooled in my life.
God wants us to live in the fullest experience of His blessing! He delights in blessing His children, as He delighted in giving Israel the Promised Land! But the depth of our love for God affects our strength for victory and the experience of this blessing! As Moses reminded Israel, love the LORD your God with all your heart and soul!
Believer, you are secure in Christ and accepted by God; nothing can change that (Romans 8:31-39)! So experience that blessing to the fullest by loving God and showing Him your love through obedience. There, you will find strength over doubts, fears, impatience, or pride! There, you will realize the victory you have in Christ! There, you will live in His blessing! Believer, rejoice, and be strengthened!
Today’s chronological reading: Deuteronomy 11-13