Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord He is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. Thou shalt keep therefore His statutes, and His commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, for ever(Deut. 4:39-40).
Multiple verses in the Word of God stress the blessings that God’s people will enjoy if they obey His statutes and His commandments. From God’s first interactions with Adam (Gen. 2:15- 25) to Christ’s final Words to His followers in the Revelation that He gave to John, the Lord has promised us His favor in return for our obedience. These verses, full of grace and hope, are some of the most uplifting verses in all of God’s Word, but they are also some of the most frequently misunderstood and misapplied. The worldly-minded are quick to find in them the guarantee of material reward, yet it is only by reading them through the eyes of the Holy Spirit that we will come to understand the fullness of God’s promise to His people (then and now).
The laws God gave to His people were carefully designed to keep them spiritually and physically healthy. They ensured that their relationships, both with each other and with strangers, would be just and merciful. God promised that if these laws were followed, the nation of Israel would receive His blessings and live forever in His presence. Under the New Covenant, this promise has been extended to include all who have been washed in the blood of Christ and reborn into the family of God. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 14:9-11).
God’s promise of eternal blessings for the nation of Israel (now the body of Christ) is not (and has never been) meant to be interpreted as a guarantee to His followers that they would never experience hardships, endure sorrow, or know pain. Had this been His intent, there would have been no need for laws detailing the treatment of the poor, the widowed, or the orphaned (Ex. 22:21-24; Deut. 15:10-11; 27:19). Likewise, following in the footsteps of Christ brings with it the promise of spiritual riches and eternal life, not a guarantee of perfect health and a high paying job (Matt. 5:12; Luke 12:33-34; James 1:12). That does not mean, however, that we are bereft of God’s blessings while we are here on earth. Had the nation of Israel kept its part of the Covenant, its people would have lived in a land ruled by godly love and fellowship that would have been able to carry them through any hardship. These same blessings are extended to all of God’s Children today. Secure in the body of Christ, we do not have to face our trials alone. As the love of Christ flows freely amongst us, unmarred by greed or inflated opinions of self-worth, we, too, will experience the prosperity of God.
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue(II Pet. 1:2-3).
Thought For TodayA blessed life is not one that has every desire fulfilled, but rather one that finds, with God, that it wants for nothing.
Word Studies3:5 fenced = fortified; 3:7 spoil = plunder; prey = prize of the war; 3:18 meet = fit; 3:28 charge = commission; 4:2 diminish ought = take away anything; 4:10 fear = have reverential heartfelt submission to; 4:13 covenant = binding agreement with qualifications given by God; 4:14 possess = live in.
Christ Portrayed:By Joshua, who led the Israelites into their inheritance (Deut. 3:28). Through Jesus we receive His promised inheritance among them which are sanctified (set apart) by faith that is in Me (Acts 26:18).
Pray For Staff:Ryan McCrary • Government Officials: Rep. Ami Bera (CA), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT) • Country: Sudan (35,482,233) North Eastern Africa • Major Languages: Arabic, English • Restricted Religious Freedom • Sunni Muslim; Small Christian Minority • Prayer Suggestion: Pray the Lord of the harvest to send workers to harvest for Him (Matt. 9:38).
Optional Reading:Luke 17