God’s Renewing Word of Love
Introduction
Deuteronomy 6:10-25: In today’s reading, Moses reminds the Israelites of God’s promises as long as they honor God and worship only him. But he also warns the people of the consequences of disobedience.
Scripture Reading
Warning against Disobedience
10 “Just as the Lord your God promised your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he will give you a land with large and prosperous cities which you did not build. 11The houses will be full of good things which you did not put in them, and there will be wells that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant. When the Lord brings you into this land and you have all you want to eat, 12make certain that you do not forget the Lord who rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves. 13 Honor the Lord your God, worship only him, and make your promises in his name alone. 14Do not worship other gods, any of the gods of the peoples around you. 15If you do worship other gods, the Lord‘s anger will come against you like fire and will destroy you completely, because the Lord your God, who is present with you, tolerates no rivals.
16 “Do not put the Lord your God to the test, as you did at Massah. 17Be sure that you obey all the laws that he has given you. 18Do what the Lord says is right and good, and all will go well with you. You will be able to take possession of the fertile land that the Lord promised your ancestors, 19and you will drive out your enemies, as he promised.
20“In times to come your children will ask you, ‘Why did the Lord our God command us to obey all these laws?’ 21Then tell them, ‘We were slaves of the king of Egypt, and the Lord rescued us by his great power. 22With our own eyes we saw him work miracles and do terrifying things to the Egyptians and to their king and to all his officials. 23He freed us from Egypt to bring us here and give us this land, as he had promised our ancestors he would. 24Then the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these laws and to honor him. If we do, he will always watch over our nation and keep it prosperous. 25If we faithfully obey everything that God has commanded us, he will be pleased with us.’
Today’s Key Verse: Deuteronomy 6:13
[Moses said:] “Honor the LORD your God, worship only him, and make your promises in his name alone.”
Reflect
What are the people promised if they obey God (verses 10-12, 17-19)? What warnings are they given if they are disobedient (verses 13-16)? What are parents to say to their children when questioned about obeying God’s laws (verses 20-25)? Within your community of faith, are stories of God’s saving acts repeated and taught to each succeeding generation?
Pray
Almighty God, help me to remember your laws and keep them foremost in my mind. Teach me to be obedient to your will, and may I never forget your steadfast love and saving acts. Amen.
And now, join us in praying for the Navajo Nation: Gracious God, we pray that the 1,000 Navajo Bibles that were distributed last year will draw more people in the Navajo Nation to you during these challenging times. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Luke 11:1-13: Jesus teaches about prayer.