Earthly Obedience, Eternal Hope

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Verses:Deuteronomy 30:16-18 - "In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it."

In this pivotal passage, Moses presents the Israelites with a stark choice: obedience to God's commands, resulting in earthly blessings, or disobedience, leading to destruction. Notably, the rewards promised for obedience are earthly, focusing on life, multiplication, and blessing in the land. The absence of any mention of reward in the afterlife is striking.

This emphasis on earthly obedience serves as a reminder that our primary task is to love and serve God in the here and now. Our eternal hope is secure, but our earthly responsibility remains. We must not neglect our duty to cultivate the earth, loving God through our daily lives. Overemphasizing heaven can lead to neglecting our earthly stewardship, effectively ignoring the task of loving Him.

Our aim should not be what we can gain but rather loving God at any cost. When living out this aim becomes our primary concern, the surface granted – our earthly life – becomes a matter of concern. We must strike a balance between heavenly aspiration and earthly responsibility.

Moses' words underscore the importance of earthly obedience, warning that turning away from God leads to perishable consequences. This solemn reminder encourages us to prioritize our relationship with God, walking in His ways, and keeping His commandments.

As we reflect on this passage, let us reevaluate our priorities. May our love for God propel us to faithful obedience, embracing our earthly responsibilities as an act of worship.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, help us love You with all our heart, soul, and might, embracing our earthly tasks as an expression of our devotion. May our obedience bring glory to Your name and blessing to our lives.

Amen.

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