Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV
[5] and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Israel was at the point of entering into the land that had been promised to Abraham. The people had left Egypt years ago, and should have been in the land of Canaan within a few days but a mixture of unbelief, downright disobedience and rebellion and a dangerous desire for the good of the land of bondage led to the wanderings of the people in the wilderness for another 40 years, until the entire adult generation, including Moses and Aaron, had died in the wilderness. There is a huge price to pay for not following the clear instructions of the Lord. It does not matter how 'close' you are to God; He will not bend His will to suit anyone's personal interests, and He will not lower His standards for anyone. It is clear from His Word that He will also punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. Think of the fact that He looked away from His own son as He hung from the cross while bearing the sin of the world. If this is the standard to follow, it is expedient for me to seek to know and follow the standard.
Just before Israel was to enter into the land of promise, Moses took time to remind the people about the standards of God. I note that rather than list out the many instructions that had been given, he went into the foundation of a relationship that God wants, and that is a heart of love. It is a love that cannot be commanded or compelled, but a love that comes from a heart that knows and loves God for who He is. Too many times, we see and relate with God on the basis of transactions: do this for me, and I will do this for you. We want to reduce God to just a benevolent God who dishes out blessings without equivalent responsibility from me. He is both benevolent and responsible at the same time. It is very important to note that whilst indeed God is able to do mighty things in my life, He also demands a life that is fully submitted to Him, and amenable to His instructions. Does this describe me in any way? Am I willing to give up all I have for the surpassing benefits of knowing and loving God?
Loving God has to take ALL of me, not a part, or almost all of me. As we now know, God does not do part-time work, and he does not go on leave. He does not sleep or slumber, which means that He is fully invested in ALL that concern me. I cannot be all that God is the way He is, but I can love Him the right way which is to give Him ALL of me. I also note the emphasis on the inner parts, such as the heart and soul, before you get to the outer manifestation of might. Whatever will last and make impact must first impress the inner man before it can be fully expressed and appreciated by the outer man. Too many times, we have missed the right order, seeking that which man will applaud, rather than what God approves. Let it not be that I settle for anything less than all of God. He is my ALL, and my life will be all it can be when I allow ALL of God to work in and through me. Would you let Him? God's time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment