Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 4:44-49; 5:1-5; 22-33; 6-8

Today’s reading is something I find so difficult to narrow down to one or two things to talk about! There are so much in it and I can spend two or three pages — don’t worry, I won’t!

I like the reference reading (grey part) on the purpose of law – (1) to bring us into a proper relationship with God and (2) to regulate their conduct toward orderly and beneficial living. We usually think of law for the second purpose only, but it is good to know of the first purpose.

“be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or the left. Walk in all the way 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.” There is no negotiation in following God’s commands – you can’t argue or narrow down or alter his commands for your comfort and preference.

The most important law is “Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – this is consistent in both Old and New Testaments. Following this commandment, “Fear the Lord, you God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name”, “Do no test the Lord your God”.

Why Israelites? “The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the people” because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers”.

Here comes my favourite phrase in the Bible – “Do not be afraid… Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God” God is among us – he is not somewhere above us or distance somewhere; he is among us, walk with us, sitting beside us, talking with us and protecting us by being with us.

Finally, my ultimate downfall of all – Pride. “… all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God” The credit is to God; the glory is to God. How easy it is for me to think “I did a good job”!

Are you walking in all the way that God is commanding you? Do you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? Are you courageous in taking on your tasks for God? If all go well, do you steal such glory for yourself, instead of God?