Instructions from God

Deuteronomy 4

I don’t mind reading instructions. My wife and I had a little table that needed to be put together and I made sure and grabbed the instructions so I could put it together properly. Do you like looking at the instructions? I know some people that hate reading instructions and they try to put something together but it usually is not put together properly or it takes them longer to do so.  

In this chapter of Deuteronomy Moses is giving the people God’s instructions. They are on the verge of entering in the Promise Land and God gives them some last minute news.

Listen

“Now listen,” God tells the people. What are they to listen to, His Word. They were commanded to listen and obey the law. God did not tell them any battle plans or strategy, it was simple obey his word. They were commanded to take it as it were, to not add or take away from the laws of God but just obey them. God already did the work for Israel, he prepared the tablets, he communicated them to Moses, Israel just needed to obey.

It is so important for us as Christians to listen to the word of God. This does not just mean an audible Bible going on. It means to take it in and chew on it and do it. We are commanded to be obedient to God. We can be obedient to God by abiding in Christ. Sharing what Christ has done for us to others.  

Cling to God

In verse 3-4 we see how God has shown himself to Israel and those who have clung to God and obeyed him are alive. This literally means that they are witnesses to the truth. We as Christians are witnesses to the truth. We know as Christians we need to cling to Jesus for our salvation. He is the truth and life. That is the truth. Jesus is the only way, his salvation is sufficient for the forgiveness of sins. 

When we cling to God that means we are walking with God. Psalms 1 tells us about the one that clings to God as a tree that is firmly planted by water. The tree yields fresh and big fruit. The tree that can not be moved. May we realize our need to be planted by God. May we realize the need to be nourished by his word. And, may we desire to never leave his presence because their is joy, peace, and hope within.

Guard Yourself 

God told Israel to guard themselves because of what they have seen and what they have been around. It is easy when one is in the wilderness setting, that they are tempted with other things but are so dependent on getting through that they can over come it. Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and he was tempted but he did not give in.  Israel had temptation coming around them and once they are in the Promise Land their guard might drop. They need to prepared for battle spiritually as well as physically. 

Just like Israel, when we are desperate we can rely on the Lord. When things are going good that is when Christians drop their guard. We may not be prepared to battle, we may not pray to God, we may not have our mind renewed and transformed in the Word, and we think nothing will come against us. The truth is that Satan never takes a break from tempting us so why should we take a break guarding our hearts and minds.

May we take these truths and be prepared, listen to the Word, and cling to a lovely Savior.