#Jesus22 - Daily DevotionalsSample

Yesterday, we read that Moses told his people to carve the words of Deut. 6:4-5 on their door frames. This is to make a clear statement: "In this house, the God of Israel reigns; to Him alone do we serve."

There is a second passage in which Moses tells the people of Israel to write words on the doorposts. It is found in Deuteronomy 11. It starts just like the passage we looked at yesterday, with the commandment to love.

Deuteronomy 11:13 says, “So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Repetitions in the Old Testament always emphasize something important. When God orders for a text to be carved into the doorposts twice, and the two texts are almost identical in content, it is clear: this is particularly important for God. But this time, the passage goes even further. In the verses that follow, the text speaks of the blessings that God has in store: good weather, bountiful harvests, enough to eat, and lush pastures. The epitome of blessing in those days.

As of verse 16, there are warnings about the consequences that will follow if we stop loving and serving God. Bad weather, followed by bad harvests, even death and loss of livelihood.

God loves to bless us humans. We open this flow of blessing when we love and serve Him with all our heart. If we lose sight of this focus, this flow of blessing can be blocked. This is exactly what the inscription on the doors of the Israelites reminded us of.

ACTION STEP

In what areas of your life do you experience God's blessings? Write down three points and thank Him for them.

Now for the more difficult exercise: where do you currently feel that the flow of blessings is blocked? Of course, this could simply be because you still need some patience or you are simply going through a difficult time, just as life sometimes plays out. But could it also be that your priorities are wrong or something else has become a god in your life? If you discover something along these lines, then today is the day to repent.