Good Morning Everyone,
Our Bible verse for today: “Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do.” Deuteronomy 29:9 (NLT)
Our thought for today: “Make sure God is number one.”
The words of Moses in Deuteronomy 29:9 were spoken to the nation of Israel right at the end of their forty years of wandering in the wilderness. They were eager to move forward to take possession of the Promised Land. They had visions of fertile land, new homes, and large flocks of sheep and goats and camels. It was going to be a good life.
While it was true that some or all of those material riches were in store for them, it was also true that those things would be empty blessings if they drifted away from the God who was providing those blessings. So here in Deuteronomy 29:9, through the words of Moses, God reminded them that the best life they would ever have is the life that is lived within the Biblical boundaries established for them by God. If they would carefully follow His commandments, live within His established boundaries of good conduct and right living, they would prosper. If they strayed from the Lord’s commands they would suffer – and that would be true regardless of the material riches they had.
Jesus reiterated this important lesson for us in His own teachings. In Luke chapter twelve Jesus used multiple illustrations of people who were preoccupied with thoughts of material possessions. Their obsession with money and things was damaging their relationship with God and with others. So in Luke 12:15 He warned “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” And in 12:21 He said, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
As Christians we know this to be true. On an intellectual level we know that the most important things in life are not things, and that no amount of things can take the place of peace with God. We know this. And yet living in a material world as we do, we are naturally drawn to material things. Therefore in actual practice the majority of our thoughts, time, attention, and energy could easily focus on our desire for money and things. We have to be intentional about making God the number one priority in our lives. This takes discipline. We have to want it and we have to work for it.
In the coming days we will consider specific actions we can take to make sure we are keeping God number one in our lives. Money and things are nice to have, but they will never be better than a rich and deep relationship with God.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 