Continued Obedience

"But you who held fast to the Lord your God are alive today, every one of you. 'See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it.'" -Deuteronomy 4.4-5

Moses has brought Israel to the edge of the Promised Land, and now he has been recounting the decades since they left Egypt. In that time he has shared God's teachings with them, yet there were those on the journey who refused to live by God's standards, and those who refused to trust Him. All of these acts of disobedience led to death, but those who trusted and obeyed have remained alive. Moses is urging the people to continue to live in obedience to God as they take possession of the land.

Obedience leads to life. When we live in faithful trust of God He watches over us. God's statutes are the best way to live, because God created life and His statutes are how He intended for life to be lived. When we obey Him we are living life in the best way. Following His statutes leads to His blessings, and it is crucial that once we receive His blessings we continue to live by His statutes.

It is common practice for people to make promises to God in hopes that He will do something for them, or give them something, but once they have it God is quickly forgotten. People pray for God's help with a difficult, or overwhelming, situation, but as soon as it's over they say to God, "I've got this from here." They begin to live as they did before the problem arose and won't think twice about God until they need Him again.

Moses did not want the people to follow God simply until Him until they got the reward of the Promised Land, and neither did God. His promise was to bring them into the land and be their God and they His people. The land is nothing without the presence of God. Moses urges the people to continue to live obediently before God.

Men, are you living in constant obedience to God? Is your life devoted to striving after His statutes and commands in order to live the best life that God has made possible? This way leads to life, provision and blessing.

It is crucial that we continue in obedience to God at all times. Obedience brings God's presence and blessing, and disobedience pushes it away. May we live in continued obedience to God.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor