Simple Rules

Deuteronomy 30: 10-14  -  The LORD your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and laws written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and soul.  "This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand or perform.  It is not up in heaven, so distant that you must ask, 'Who will go to heaven and bring it down so we can hear and obey it?'  It is not beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, 'Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear and obey it?'  The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.

 

There it is…in plain print…the rules God gave us are not too hard for us to follow.  They are simple rules…no great physical or mental skills needed….just a passion.  Moses was telling them that all they needed to follow God’s way was to put those rules in their hearts…and let it overflow from their being into every word they said.

 

It reminded me of that Rich young ruler in Luke 18….the one that asked Jesus how to get into Heaven.  Jesus told him in verses 19-20…that he already knew the commandments he was to keep.  But after the ruler said he had kept those rules all his life…Jesus reminded him that he loved his money more that he did God. Jesus could see right through to his heart…and saw the money there…not a passion for God.

 

It all boils down to a choice…and if we look at the entire chapter of Deuteronomy 30…we find these words of Moses tucked into verses 19-20…  "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live!  Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

 

Father…it is so simple….only my flesh…that is weak and selfish makes it hard. Help me father to follow you with all my heart…and all my soul.  Strengthen my heart so it can tell the flesh no when it tries to involve me in something that breaks one of your rules.  I thank you for these words of Moses that remind me that following you should be the easiest thing I have ever done. Help me to always choose life with you.  Amen.