September 12, 2013

WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?

Deuteronomy 5:22-33

Nancy Fields
Thursday's Devo

September 12, 2013

Thursday's Devo

September 12, 2013

Central Truth

God wants people to fear Him, not because it's a requirement, but because we love Him and desire a relationship with Him. When we love Him, we want to obey Him.

Key Verse | Deuteronomy 5:29

"Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!" (Deuteronomy 5:29)

Deuteronomy 5:22-33

22 These words the LORD spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and he added no more. And he wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. 23 And as soon as you heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes, and your elders. 24 And you said, ‘Behold, the LORD our God has shown us his glory and greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire. This day we have seen God speak with man, and man still live. 25 Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, we shall die. 26 For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived? 27 Go near and hear all that the LORD our God will say, and speak to us all that the LORD our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.’

28 And the LORD heard your words, when you spoke to me. And the LORD said to me, ‘I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. 29 Oh that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants 1 5:29 Or sons forever! 30 Go and say to them, “Return to your tents.” 31 But you, stand here by me, and I will tell you the whole commandment and the statutes and the rules that you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land that I am giving them to possess.’ 32 You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.

Footnotes

[1] 5:29 Or sons

Dive Deeper | Deuteronomy 5:22-33

I've been a rule-follower ever since I was a little girl. I was scared to get in trouble. All my mom had to do was give me "the look," and I knew if I didn't straighten-up, then not only would I get in trouble with her, but it would be twice as bad with my dad. I had such a fear of disappointing him.

In Deuteronomy 5:29, the Lord spoke through Moses about the Israelites having a heart that feared Him. If they respected and obeyed Him, then it would be well with them. When looking at me on the outside, I most likely would have done well in Old Testament times, being the rule-follower that I am. However, being a good rule-follower isn't what God wants. He wants my heart. He desires for me to want to love, respect, and obey Him.

It took me a long time to figure this out, and I'm still learning daily. I have to ask myself, "What is my true motivation for wanting to follow the rules?" Is it to people-please and satisfy my desire of always trying to do the right thing, so I look good and don't get in trouble, or is it because I truly fear God? Again, God's not interested in me being a rule-follower. He wants me to love Him, and when I do this, obedience naturally follows.

Throughout this passage, Moses was the Israelites' mediator to God, as they were gravely afraid of Him and feared hearing His voice any longer (verses 25-27). While Moses served as the Israelites' mediator, Jesus is our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15). I am to have complete reverence (fear) for God, but I do not need to be scared of Him. I have a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus, and I can approach Him anytime without being afraid. So, while the battle continues daily to measure my motives, will I struggle to try to get an "A" in conduct or choose to love Him?

Discussion Questions

1. When you compare Moses' and Jesus' roles as mediators, how does the role of mediator radically change because of Jesus and the resurrection?

2. I still find myself doing many things as a recovering people-pleaser. What similar challenges do you face in your walk?

3. When seeking to do good, do you challenge yourself to examine the reason why? If it's in obedience to God -- Amen! And if it's rule-following, see 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 19:14, Matthew 22:37-38, and Hebrews 4:12.