“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.”
Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV)
We love to read parts of this chapter, and pray God’s Words back to Him;
promises of a good land
promises of eating to our fill
promises of the ability to produce wealth
But we generally miss that the central message of this chapter is that we would obey all of God’s Words. This obedience is absolutely critical to the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives. It is true, gloriously true that Christ Jesus was obedient even unto death on a cross, and that we who have trusted in Him for our salvation are hidden in His obedience. That is - we are joined in spiritual union with Christ and all of God’s promises are Yes in Christ.
Friend if we are hidden in Christ’s obedience, then wouldn’t we also want - even need - to obey every Word of God? Or do we think that Christ obeyed so that we don’t have to obey? Perish that thought. Christ obeyed so that we could be forgiven for those times we disobey. He died in obedience to God in order to free us from the chains of disobedience, so that as we live our lives in obedience through his power and Presence we will be in the place of blessings in our lives, and find abundant life.
Let us not miss that the opening verses of this chapter teach us that God brings us into places of need on purpose- to teach us that we only need His Word, that we don’t need food or clothes more than we need His Word. He provides us with food, He provides us with clothes, and He provides us with health, but our greatest need is to obey.
May we trust Him and obey Him today.
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