Matthew Costner

Read:
“Therefore, love the Lord your God and always keep His mandate and His statues, ordinances, and commands” (Deuteronomy 11:1)

Study:
Being led by Moses, the Israelites left Egypt. God had brought them out of slavery and was going to take them to the “promised land” – the place where “milk and honey” was to flow (Exodus 3:8). In other words, God was taking His children, the Israelites, to a beautiful land with opportunity.

But there was a problem. No one knew where this land was. There wasn’t even a treasure map with a big “X” on the spot of promise. They had to listen to God. And this meant they had to obey Him. Moses explained it to the people this way: if they were going to enjoy the land of promise, obedience would have to pave the way. If they were going to partake in the blessings of kingdom living, faithfulness to God and His laws would have to come first.

Jesus basically said the same thing when He said, “My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).

This obedience to God’s voice that Moses and Jesus both described is clear evidence of covenant (one-sided agreement) relationship. God said He would save us (one sided), so we just need to follow Him to salvation. We follow when we obey, so to thrive in God’s kingdom, we must obey His every word.

Pray:
God, let my ears only hear You and let my eyes stay focused on road you have paved for me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Live:
Find and get an accountability partner. This is someone who will encourage and help you, and you them, to remain obedient to God and His Word.