Observation: Just before this, in verse 11, Moses encourages the people that "this commandment" ... singular ... he is giving them isn't difficult. And the one commandment is this, to love Yahweh. All else follows this. If they love the Lord, they will stay in relationship with him, meaning they will obey his precepts and instructions, and in all of that context they will live a great and blessed life, because the Lord will be oh so very close to them. And it all starts with simply and truly loving Yahweh, as he has already loved them.
Application: I pray for nearness to the Lord. I pray for guidance. I pray for assistance. I pray for revelation of the path I should walk, for health and joy for my children and wife, for strength to overcome evil, for words to say to the lost, for peace in the midst of social angst. However, what I fail to pray for - and what I fail to do enough - is simply love the Lord.
I do love Yahweh. I know this in my heart. However, just like my wife complains about when she is feeling distant from me, I don't show that love enough, nor in the proper ways. I love the Lord, but ignore his precepts. I love the Lord, but don't just talk to him about my worries and my joys. I love the Lord, but don't immediately thank him for good tidings in life. I love the Lord, but spend time mentally transfixed on mindless and terrible distractions instead of focused on him. I love the Lord, but I don't think of how I can show that love daily.
If I were to simply spend time pondering and expressing my love toward the Lord, surely all else will follow.
Prayer: Lord, please forgive me for the many ways I sin and wander away, and seemingly express by thought and deed that I must not love you. I do love you, my Lord and my God, my savior and redeemer. You are my Lord, and my heart is yours. However, my heart is flawed and hard, and a little scarred. I say today, and will say more often, but more importantly show more often, that I love you, Lord. Amen.
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