Meet God 3

Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations, Deuteronomy 7:9 AMPC

This is a call by Moses to the people of Israel in his day, and the same call goes to us today. The world does not understand consistency and faithfulness. Its principles are built on false premises, because it is sustained by the one called the deceiver. God reminded the people of Israel about their experiences in Egypt and their journeys through the desert, as well as His provision and protection all through and then their inheritance of a land that wasn't theirs in the first place but was given to them. God went ahead to also warn them about their associations with the people of the land. Why would God spend so much time warning about both the present and the future? Is it because he sees ahead, and knows the dangers ahead? Could it be that his love is so deep that he would have us know what we stand to gain when we remain in Him?

It is as if God is introducing himself to us all over again. He wants us to know, recognize and understand who He is. Being God means being supreme, over all and in charge, yet he is referred to as Your Lord, with a personal touch. He wants to have a relationship with us, which is the whole idea behind his Son coming to the world to die for our sins. He is introduced as a faithful and covenant keeping God, which means that it is in his nature to seek out men and call them to himself. It is in his nature to show love and mercy to all who respond to his call, no matter what their past or present looks like. He is consistent all through the centuries, as what was known about him by Abraham is the same testimony about him by John, centuries after. He isn't like man, who changes his mind as often as he changes his clothes.

There isn't a blanket provision however. Note that the full promise is given to those who respond in love and obedience to God's command. You can read and memorize all you want; God's promises only work when you are obedient. Today's extract was a result of one man's obedience, that is Abraham. He walked with God and received an eternal promise, which Israel enjoys till this day. David walked with God and received a permanent kingship. Enoch walked with God and was taken away. All through Scripture, we read of such men and we are encouraged that the same God who rewards obedience is still very much in charge of affairs. He is waiting for us to respond to him. Generations after us will reap the benefits of our relationship with God, only if we persevere to the end.

There is a silent part to today's extract, and it is that the opposite too is true. For every one who disobeys and rebels against God, punishment awaits. Unfortunately, just as it is for obedience, so is it for rebellion. God is just, and will give to each man his due. On whose side are you on? His time of favour is here.