Observation: This is the true beginning of Moses' final speech and teaching to Israel, and this first sentence is the heart of the entire message. Jesus himself will declare this the greatest of all the commandments ever given by Yahweh to mankind, and it effectively breaks down into two parts:
1) Yahweh is the one and only God of the universe.
2) We are all to completely and totally love Yahweh with our entire being.
Every good thing in the entire world is manifested by those two concepts. Knowing that the all-powerful and loving creator is in charge of all things brings peace and joy to our lives. Being focused on how we can serve and obey the Lord keeps our lives in a right place. Of course, this works when everyone does this, and the fact most don't creates problems and issues and pain and sadness for us. However, the Lord remains in control.
Application: I cannot fathom how much better my life would be if I were more obedient with regards to the Shema. If I would only "listen" and make this fact the true anchor of my life - that the Lord is the great God of heaven and earth, and all my actions should be to love him with my heart, soul, mind, and strength - really nothing could be wrong in life. Sure, there would be evil people who hurt me. Yes, satan would create plots using the lost people of this fallen world to bring hardships against me. There would remain disease and disaster that cause difficulty in varying degrees. However, through all these things, the joy and love the Lord would permeate.
I know and I believe the Shema, but I don't live it in every moment of every day. That was what Moses encouraged, even knowing how difficult it is given the fallen nature of mankind. So the challenge remains, can I draw closer to a Shema-centered life?
This begins with one discipline, which is taking every thought and action captive and presenting to the Lord. When that is done, it manifests the "love God" part of the command as a "submitting your heart/soul/body" discipline. It looks like a Romans 12:1 kind of life, making my entire life a living sacrifice. It also creates a continual dialogue and thus a relationship with the Lord ... a true act of worship.
A Shema-centered life entails discipline, control, and attention ... soul, strength, and heart. I lack all three.
Prayer: Lord, I recognize that Moses set a high bar, at your wise direction, with the knowledge that most would fail. However, this is also your vision and goal for my life, to live in a Shema-based relationship with you. I do wish I could be better at this, and I desire to try. Amen.
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