The Heart of Obedience: Loving and Cleaving to God

-

Verses:Deuteronomy 11:22-28 - "For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you to do them—to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him—then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves. Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the River Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your borders be. There shall no man be able to stand before you; for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as He hath said unto you. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: a blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you this day and a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods which ye have not known."

God's desire for obedience stems not from ego or domination, but love. He yearns for our hearts to be entwined with His, that we may experience life's fullness. The severity of the curse and sweetness of the blessing reveal His passion for our well-being. Let us not be overwhelmed by either, but focus on His underlying intention: to draw us into loving and cleaving to Him.

In this intimate relationship, obedience becomes natural. Loving God and cleaving to Him are intertwined—each fuels the other. As we walk in His ways, our love deepens, and our hearts become increasingly devoted.

The blessing promises triumph over mighty nations, expansive territories and divine protection. Conversely, disobedience invites curses, defeat and destruction. Yet, God's ultimate goal remains: to shield us from harm by fostering a love that clings to Him.

May our response be wholehearted surrender, embracing the beauty of obedience. As we cherish His love, may our lives reflect the depth of His devotion.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, captivate our hearts with Your love. May obedience flow from our deepening relationship, and may we forever cleave to You. Amen.

Popular posts from this blog

A Divine Encounter: From Fear to New Identity❤️

-
Verses:Genesis 32:22-32 "That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' The man asked him, 'What is your name?' 'Jacob,' he answered. Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.'" In this remarkable story, God comes down to meet Jacob in his moment of fear and uncertainty. Jacob is worried about his upcoming encounter with Esau, but God has a different plan. Inste...
Read more

A Glimpse of God's Goodness

-
Verse: Genesis 48:11 (NIV) 11 Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected to see your face again, and yet God has allowed me to see your children too." As Jacob gazed upon the faces of his loved ones, he felt as though he was beholding the very face of God. In this moment, he realized that experiencing God's goodness was akin to seeing God Himself. The joy, the peace, and the love that radiated from their presence was a tangible manifestation of God's divine goodness, a reflection of His loving character. Jacob's heart overflowed with emotion as he grasped the magnitude of God's love. He felt the warmth of God's embrace, the comfort of His presence, and the assurance of His guidance. In this moment, all his doubts, fears, and worries seemed to fade away, replaced by a deep sense of trust and surrender. "Oh, the goodness of God!" he exclaimed, his heart overflowing with praise. "To see Your face in the faces of my loved ones is to behold Your ve...
Read more

The Weight of Our Actions: A Lifelong Reminder

-
Verse: Genesis 49:3-4 - "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed; then defiled it: he went up to my couch." In the book of Genesis, we find a poignant reminder that our actions have consequences that can last a lifetime. The story of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob, serves as a powerful illustration of this truth. Despite being blessed with strength, dignity, and power, Reuben's reckless behavior led to a lifelong spot on his reputation. Reuben's mistake was not just a momentary lapse in judgment, but a deliberate choice that had far-reaching consequences. By sleeping with his father's concubine, Bilhah, he not only dishonored his father but also destabilized the family dynamics. This singular act of disobedience and disrespect earned him a lasting rebuke from his father, Jacob. The weight...
Read more