Do we really know what God expects of us? What if we're doing all the wrong things and they don't count? How can we know what He asks of us? Do we just do our best and hope that will be enough to please Him?
The book of Deuteronomy means repetition of the law and during the final weeks of Moses' life, he reminds the new generation of Israelites of what God wants them to do and be. We find these instructions in Deut. 10: 12-13 :: "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to 1) fear the Lord your God, 2) walk in all his ways 3) love him, 4) serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and 5) observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I (Moses) am giving you today....for your own good!"
What does this look like for us?
1) Fear God = to respect God for who He is; the One True and Holy God. Not "the man upstairs" or the "big guy in the sky", but our Heavenly Father who deserves our respect and desires a relationship with us.
2) Walk in all His ways = follow Him. The key verses for this study come from Psalm 25:4-5 - "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths and guide me in your truth...." Learning God's Word and knowing what He expects of us is the way we follow Him. Asking Him to show us, teach us and guide us guarantees that we are walking on the right path!
3) Love Him = making our relationship with Him the number one priority in life. Not our job, not our family, not our friends, not our money, not our church, not our social life, but Him.
Whenever we put anything above the importance of our relationship with God (sleeping in on Sunday, skipping Bible study time, spending time and money on our own pleasures instead of giving to God's work, etc.) we say to God that His relationship with us is not as important as these other things.
4) Serve Him with all your heart and soul = do what you say you're going to do. Don't make half-hearted promises to people and not keep them. Colossians 3:17 reminds us that "whatever we do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God..." We should consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to serve others in Christ's name.
5) Observe His commands = obey Him! The Israelites had seen first hand what happened when God's people disobeyed. Obedience is very important to God and He doesn't take disobedience lightly. It's quite simple - Obedience brings blessings; disobedience brings death (Deut.30:15-18).
Moses was reminding the nation of Israel that these things were from God and for their own good. How often we complicate faith with man-made rules, regulations and requirements. Are you frustrated and burned out from trying hard to please God? Concentrate on what He asks of you and you will find peace, contentment and meaning in your life.
Simply // Respect.....Follow.....Love.....Serve.....and Obey!
Online Class: 1) Share with us the Christlike qualities you admire in Moses. 2) Comment on what you're learning about who God is under the "I am God" link.
14 comments:
Moses endured. He was not perfect and didn't let his mistakes stand in the way of him moving forward as God instructed him to do. He listened, obeyed and experienced who and what God is.
Moses demonstrated extreme patience! This is a Christlike quality I would hope to improve on! Patience with others, things and myself.
I think Moses had many great quality's. He was a great leader and stayed dedicated to God even after he knew he couldn't even go into the promise land.I think he also dementrated kindness and patience when dealing with the people. With all the mistakes the people were making he still prayed to God on their behalf.
Moses completed the tasks God gave him. I am striving to be in God's will and complete the work where I see he is leading me. I am focusing on giving 100% to God's work and changing myself to be more sensitive to His will, leaning on Him instead of myself.
Saw this quote and it made me laugh: Don't give up!! Remember, Moses was once a real basket case!!
Even though Moses was not a good speaker, he obeyed God and God used him anyway.
God is not looking for performance, he is looking for obedience.
The Christ-Like quality Moses possessed which I would aspire to is unwavering faithfulness. I admire how even amidst such personal disappointments and frustrations; he demonstrated faith and love for God. He demonstrated this so much that Moses didn't keep his love for God to himself, he shared it with the people. It is a very strong statement of faith to love and follow God--even leading others to know God better; despite your own heartaches, frustrations and disappointments. It is complete trust that God knows what is better for you, loves you, and is in control with a plan you cannot understand. I would like to always have that level of faith.
I am catching up- Numbers: I realized I am cut out of the same cloth as the Isrealites. I have the audacity to question His provision for the future with all that He has done for and shown me in the past?!?! WOW!
Deut: Moses went to God first with every concern and left trusting.I need to work on that alot.
Moses sounded much like myself in the beginning when God chose him to lead the people out of Eygpt. I can't do that...finding every excuse and every flaw he had. What faithfulness Moses had which grew into confidence in himeself. By taking baby steps and learning to trust God he became one of the most memorable.
A quality Moses showed was endurance. He was tested many times by the Israelites always complaining. Moses went to God on behalf of the Israelites many times. Moses' enduring quality serves as a reminder of Jesus enduring the cross for me.
Hahaha verrrry funny Tonia!
Well because my word for the year is love. I have to say, like a lot of you have, that I admire the love and faithfulness he had for God. I also admire his enduring love and dedication he gave to those complaining people!!
To be all we can be and not try to be someone we are not.
To hear his voice and respond either by waiting or action.
Seek his face in prayer and know that in his time we can rejoice and be glad, no matter the outcome.
Philippians 2:13
"It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
Trust and obey, without reservation..Which takes great Faith, in our Father...He wants us
to Love Him, (and others), and to Serve Him, (and others)..Also, He wants us to put Him first, every day, in every way...
Moses was a loyal servant, and He did what God told him to do..even when it was difficult..He had great Faith, in our "Father God"...
Post a Comment