March 7, 2014 (Deuteronomy 5,6; Psalms 43; Mark 14)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” Deuteronomy 5:33 NLT
Observation: Final instructions were given by Moses to God’s chosen people before they crossed over the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land. Moses was careful to stress the importance of staying on the path that God had commanded. On this path the people would be safe from every storm and secure from every enemy. Not only safe and secure, but blessed and highly favored. They would live long prosperous lives in a land flowing with milk and honey as long as they stayed obedient to the Lord’s commands. The people were reminded of the Ten Commandments that God Himself had written in stone. They were reminded of the failures of their ancestors and the consequences they suffered. Even Moses himself would not be allowed to enter this glorious Promised Land because he allowed the people to cause him to be disobedient in his frustration. With a heavy heart of disappointment Moses delivered a heartfelt and compassionate final message of encouragement.
Application: God has laid out a path for each of our lives. His word is available to each of us as a light unto our feet. His standards for godly living are the same today as they were in the day of Moses. God still calls, and expects, His people to live according to His standards and His commands. He has provided us a land flowing with milk and honey and still honors those that are fully committed to Him. He protects us from every storm of life and keeps us safe and secure in perilous times. We have the example and warnings of our ancestors just as the children of Israel did. Yet so many times we choose the same path of disobedience, rather than the straight and narrow path He has called us to trod. Today we should stop and consider the consequences that have been suffered by all those before us that chose the wrong path. Is that really the road we desire to go down? Will we continue on that path?
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Help me see the path You desire for me to walk. Keep my feet firmly on the right path. Light the pathway with Your word and help me understand the consequences of disobedience. Let this understanding deter me from going astray, in Jesus name, Amen!