Walk In Obedience

Deuteronomy 5:32-33

32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn to the aside to the right or to the left.  33 Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Deuteronomy 5 is an important chapter of the Bible for me.  I remember my mom and dad reading this chapter to me many times.  I remember my Aunt Nancy's big picture Bible, and I remember her reading the Ten Commandments to me time and time again.  Yet, there is more to Deuteronomy 5 than just the Ten Commandments.  The people had the opportunity to respond to the commandments handed down to Moses by God.  They had the opportunity to embrace the Word of God.  After hearing the commandments and seeing Moses hold them on two stone tablets, the people responded, "The Lord our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire.  Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them.  But now, why should we die?  This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any longer.  For what mortal has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived?  Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says.  Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you.  WE WILL LISTEN AND OBEY. (vv. 24-27).  The people were amazed that Almighty God was speaking with Moses and speaking with them.  The people were amazed that they were still alive.  The Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy 5 and all of God's decrees and laws are His gift to His children.  As Dr. David Jeremiah puts it, "His commands, decrees, and laws are designed for our protection and our communion with Him."  At the end of Deuteronomy 5, we see the heart of Moses as he understands what this communion with God will bring to Israel.  He says, "WALK IN OBEDIENCE."  And when they do this, Moses says, "You may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess."

I certainly don't want to take these words out of context, but I do believe these words are for all of God's children.  I believe it is important for us to know God's Word, but I believe it is even more important that we WALK IN OBEDIENCE in accordance to God's Word.  I believe that He will bless us with life when we WALK IN OBEDIENCE.  Of course, we, just like Moses and all of Israel, are not perfect.  We miss the mark when it comes to God's Word.  We sin; we rebel; we disobey.  Jesus came to this world and lived the perfect life that we could not live.  Jesus went to the cross and died a sacrificial death because of our sin and for our sin.  Jesus fulfilled the law so that we could be forgiven and free.  Jesus lived and died and rose again so that we could have full and eternal life.  We can have communion with God all because of what Jesus has done.  And all because of Jesus, we should want to WALK IN OBEDIENCE in accordance with God's Word.  

Lord, I thank You for Your Word, and I thank You for the Holy Spirit in me.  It is the Holy Spirit who gives me conviction and understanding and strength to WALK IN OBEDIENCE in accordance to Your Word, so I thank You.  And I pray that You will be honored and glorified by my walk with You.  I also thank You for the full and eternal life I have in Jesus.  I am truly blessed by You!  Make me a living sacrifice for You!  Amen!