Scripture
45When Moses had finished reciting all these words to the people of Israel, 46he added: “Take to heart all the words of warning I have given you today. Pass them on as a command to your children so they will obey every word of these instructions. 47These instructions are not empty words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land you will occupy when you cross the Jordan River.” Deuteronomy 32:45-47
Observation
Moses was not able to enter The Promised Land because of his sin. He didn’t obey God’s instructions to speak to the rock instead of hitting it (Deut 32:48-52). He would miss out on the promise and wanted to make sure the same thing didn’t happen to Joshua and the next generation. This is why Moses says the number one job of the adults isn’t to take the land but to lead their children in God’s ways- to pass on “every word” of these instructions. After all of those years of wandering it would be easy to focus on the enemies around them, but God knew the greatest enemy was the one within. Moses tells them to learn from history or they will be doomed to repeat it. He wasn’t just telling them how to take the Promised Land, but how to keep it by keeping God’s commands. As a father to his children who can see them missing the point and rolling their eyes he says with an exclamation point- “These instructions are not empty words—they are your life!”
Application
I just had the privilege of spending a week with my folks and I was reminded of how well they passed on a passion for God’s Word to me. I remember how my Mom would share from her journal after reading the Bible. She would apply it to her life and she encouraged me to do the same. She reminded me that every question I would ever have would find its answer in scripture. I remember how my Pop would draw out pictures to help me memorize scripture passages like Psalm 23. He would write out scripture verses and put them on his dash in his work truck and meditate on them until he memorized them. They passed on the promises of God and I’m making it my goal to do the same for my boys. This morning was 37 degrees but the boys still wanted to get up and journal at Starbucks with me this morning. They look forward to this every week. I look forward to hearing what God says to them through His Word. I’ve even seen them turning off the TV and journaling when they remember they haven’t done it for that day. I have dropped the baton many times, but this is one thing I’m determined to pass on- these aren’t just words on a page, God’s Words are life to those who live them!
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of parents who loved You personally and loved me so much that they passed on their love for Your Word. More than being a successful pastor or an effective leader, the most important thing I can do with my life is to pass on my love for Your Word to my boys. Everything that is right is being called wrong and all that is wrong we are being told is right. The only true north in this topsy turvy world is Your perfect word written to speak to every season of the soul my boys will have to face. These moments right here, eating bagels on a cold morning outside of a Starbucks are laying a foundation for the life You have planned for them. I’m so thankful that, on St. Patricks Day, I don’t have to rest my families future on the capricious impersonal force of luck, but instead I get to put my trust in You, the person of Jesus Christ! Luck is about not being responsible for my actions and faith is a call to action led by Your immutable Word!
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