READING: Deuteronomy 30-31
We’ve read enough of the Bible already this year to know that following God isn’t always easy. The enemies make themselves known, always seeking to draw us into idolatry and immorality. On the other hand, following God IS easy if we recognize that He’s changed us and made it possible to obey Him through His Word and His Spirit.
Moses reminded the Hebrews of that same truth in today’s reading. When the Lord changes their heart and they seek Him with all their being, here is the result:
"Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, 'Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, 'Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?' No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.” (Deut 30:11-14)
Don’t miss the beauty of this text as we think about our privileges today. We don’t have to climb to heaven to get to God; He came to us in the incarnate Word (Jesus in the flesh) and the written Word (the Bible). Nobody has to cross the sea so we might hear His Word (that is, at least that’s the case for most of us in North America). No, God’s Word is near us. It’s in our hands. It’s on our phones and iPads. It’s in our mouths and on our lips. It’s in our heart. We have all we need to follow God faithfully today.
The war might be real, but God is not distant. In fact, He lives in us. You can’t get much more near than that.
Hallelujah!
ACTION STEPS: Consider these steps:
- Just praise Him today for being near you.
- Thank Him if you have easy access to His written Word today. Don’t take that privilege for granted.
- Read the Word tomorrow with more excitement than today.
PRAYER: “God, I praise You that Your Word is near. May it ever be in my mouth and my heart.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Deuteronomy 32-34