Monday, October 3, 2011

October 4, 2011

Day Two of the Devotional Thoughts by Ken Hemphill for the EKG study.

When the Israelites left Egypt and headed to the promised land, God offered them a covenant relationship. Moses explained it to the peoplethis way: if they were going to enjoy the land of promise, obedience would have to pave the way. They they were going to partake in the blessings of kingdom living, faithfulness to God and His laws would have to come first.

Let's listen in on a few of Moses' instructions:

"Therefore, love the Lord your God and always keep His mandate and His statutes, ordinances, and commands." (Deuteronomy 11:1)

"Keep every command I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to cross into and possess the land you are to inherit." (Deuteronomy 11:8)

"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— then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied."  (Deuteronomy 11:13-15)

"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—  the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today;  the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known."  (Deuteronomy 11:26-28)

Jesus echoed this same command to obey His Father, "My sheep hear my voice," Jesus said, "I know them, and they follow Me."  (John 10:27)  They follow Me; this obedience to God's clear call gives credence to the covenant relationship between God and His people. In a human kingdom the king must be obeyed. Therefore, it is key in a covenant relationship to the King that you obey His every word!

Are you living in obedience to God's Word?