Behavior that Creates Awe

Scripture: The Lord will establish you as His holy people, as He swore to you, if you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. Then all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by Yahweh’s name, and they will stand in awe of you. Deuteronomy 28:9-10

Observation: As Moses reveals the blessings that will come to Israel by following Jesus, he summarizes the covenant promises. The promises are contingent on obedience at the very simplest level - not committing the most obvious sins - and the resulting blessings involve good harvests, abundance from livestock, and strong families. However, one statement isn't about a blessing, it's about the observations of outsiders.

When Israel visibly obeys the Lord, outsiders will be in awe of them. It doesn't say the people of the earth will be jealous of their wealth, or in awe of their prosperity. And it doesn't tie the 'awe' to the outward results of their blessings. Instead ... when Israel is clearly the holy people of the Lord and called by his name, the nations of the earth will be in awe of them. This is more about a connection to God. The nations will be in awe of that connection and relationship - of the dedication to the Lord - and not the riches of the people.

Application: Jesus tells us repeatedly that it is not our words, but our lives, that reveal Jesus' love to others. By my life - not my words - others are to see my faith. Just like Israel, it is by the relationship that others are to be impressed and thus seek a deeper understanding of just what is going on.

I doubt my life provides "awe" to others. This is a problem to continue to address. I wish to live in a way that others would wonder just what in the world is going on ... that I would forsake worldly attention, honor, comfort, and material in exchange for obedience to God related to relationships, language, giving, and care for others. As God promises, this is the source to true blessing.

Prayer: Lord, I know I have been blessed by you. May I be a blessing to others. May my deeds this day and every day be about honoring you in action, thought, word, and deed, without concern for the views and attitude of the world. Amen.