The passage I read was Deuteronomy 6:4-9
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+6%3A4-9&version=NIV
The verse that most stood out to me:
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
As I reflect:
Not just a song, but here a command to the children of the Lord to Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your strength. Not only had Moses told us this, but Jesus also reiterates this passage in Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27, and I believe a couple other places as well. As I read further, I hear that these are not passing words to shortly consider but rather we are to keep the commandments on our hearts, teach them to our children, talk about them, and in all ways keep them active in our memories and actions. I receive from this passage that the Lord doesn’t desire that we simply hear the word and then walk away unchanged. Similar to the message received from James 1 verse 23 – 25 which state, “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” I think both messages are trying to get across the fact that these words are so much more than just words, but only if you focus on them and apply them and for the right reasons do so. We are to submit to the Lord’s authority – yes. But why? Because we love Him with all of our soul, strength, and mind. If you love someone in this manner, how could you ever desire anything other than to be obedient to their desires and please them with all that you are. For us, we find that the only way for us to please our Heavenly Father is by faith and that if we in fact love the Lord, we also abide in His commands. (John 15:10 – and I believe other places as well state this)
As for a personal reflection on this passage and its application to my life, I believe it serves to remind me that no passage in the word is simply to be skimmed over without investigation much like I have done with this passage. Each word that comes from God has the power to change, to build up, and also to destroy. It is of up most importance that we all treat the word as the treasure it is and apply this daily bread to our walk as though our very lives depended on its correct interpretation and daily application. God has given each of us warnings, treasures, promises, and if you are a believer who is repentant then also eternal life with Christ. This book is a key to so much mystery in the relationship between us and God. Why would we desire to forget what it teaches for even a moment of our day. Meditate always on the word that it may deeply root in you.
My response to the Lord:
Lord, you alone know the measure of my love for you. Though my love hardly compares to yours for me, I gladly lay down my life for you. My life is not my own. All that I am is yours. I thank you that you did not mold me in blindness, but that you gave such a treasure as to be able to learn from you through those who came before me. I thank you for your Holy Spirit working these mysteries into me and providing me with understanding. May I always meditate and never forget the great wisdom you give. Your word Lord is a lamp unto my feet. May I always abide and obey. May I faithfully teach my children your ways. Jehovah Ezer (The Lord our Helper), guide my words and actions carefully that my children may be greater servants and more fruitful than I. Light the way Jesus.
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