READING: Deuteronomy 11-13
I realize that it’s difficult sometimes to reduce the Word of God to an outline. Preachers try to do it every Sunday. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. Today’s chapters, though, help us think about how we are to follow God. These words were written to the Hebrews of the ancient world, and yet they echo principles that we find throughout the Bible. Use the simplicity of this outline today to follow God fully:
1. Love God. And show your love by obedience.
“Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always” (Deut 11:1).
2. Be careful. The enemy wants to lure you in the wrong direction.
“Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them” (Deut 11:16).
3. Don’t follow the world. Even if you stand alone, stand.
“You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit” (Deut 12:8).
4. Be fully obedient. When you are, you leave no room for disobedience.
“See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it” (Deut 12:32).
5. Repent from evil in your life. Take steps to eradicate your sin.
“You must purge the evil from among you” (Deut 13:5).
At the end of the day, here’s the way we defeat the enemy daily: follow God in obedience. It really is that simple.
ACTION STEPS: Consider these steps:
- Evaluate your life in light of these five mandates. Does your lifestyle show you love God through obedience? Are you careful to avoid the enemy’s traps? Are you pulled toward the world? Are you obedient to all of God’s commands? Are you actively driving sin out of your life?
- Where you need to repent, do so.
- Thank God for His patient, forgiving love.
PRAYER: “Lord, help me to live a life that pleases You today. Point out my idols . . . my tendencies to follow others . . . the places of evil in my life — and grant me grace to follow You completely.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Deuteronomy 14-16
