Obey All the Lord's Commands

The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. - Deuteronomy 29:29 NLT

In Deuteronomy 29 Moses reaffirmed the covenant that the Lord had made with the people of Israel at Mount Horeb. Moses gathered all the people and reminded them of what the Lord had done for them; how God had delivered them out of Egypt and had kept them in the wilderness. He gave them the victory over the nations that fought against them. He proved to them that He was able to take care of them, by providing their daily needs.

There was one thing that God required of them, that is, they would obey Him by keeping the Covenant. It was important for them, to obey the terms of the Covenant so that they will prosper in everything they do. The Covenant was for all the people; men, women and children. Even those who were not Israelites by birth but had chosen to be joined to them, including their servants.

God is saying to us today, obey the Covenant, obey the commandments I have given to you; if you want to prosper in everything you do. We are to teach those of our household the things of the Lord. The Covenant, the commandments are not for you alone, but for all of our future generations as well. If He is indeed our God and we are His people, we are to obey Him.

Quite naturally, if we do not obey the Covenant, the commandments of God, there would be consequences. I think of us as parents, when we tell our children do something, we expect them to obey us. We also tell them what the consequences would be if they disobey. It is no different for us if we break the Covenant, the commandments of God. He told the Israelites what would happen if they disobey. Our Heavenly Father is loving and only desires to give us His best.

The scripture reference for today, says there are secrets the Lord your God has not revealed to us, but these words that he has revealed are for us and our children to obey forever. There are secrets God has not yet revealed. As we obey the Covenant, the commandments of the Lord, He will continue to reveal His secrets to us. What is important right now is that we obey what have been revealed to us. We are responsible for what God has revealed, and we are admonished not to take it lightly.

And Be Sure of This!

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20 NLT

After Yeshua’s death, He rose on the third day. He met with the disciples a number of times and encouraged them prior to His departure to heaven. One of the things Yeshua told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit – Matthew 28:18-19 NLT. We call this the Great Commission!

The disciples were commissioned to go into all the world and preach the gospel – the good news of salvation – and baptize those who believe. The gospel is not for a selected few. No! it’s for all mankind. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, John 3:16 KJV. We are to make new disciples. When we preach the gospel, hearts will be stirred and there will be those who accept Yeshua as their Saviour and Lord.

Yeshua did not stop there, He added a second part, and that is to ‘Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you’. We are commissioned to not only preach the gospel, but to also teach the new disciples to obey all the commands that Yeshua gave. This is not just limited to the ten commandments, but every other command that Yeshua gave. These commands include teachings on love, forgiveness, and the importance of living a life that reflects God's love. Here are some of the commands that Jesus taught: Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17) - A call to repentance and the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven. Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19) - A call to discipleship and the promise of spiritual growth. Rejoice when you are persecuted (Matthew 5:12) - A reminder of the rewards in heaven for those who suffer for their faith. Let your light shine before others (Matthew 5:16) - A call to live a life that reflects God's love and grace. Be reconciled to one another (Matthew 5:23-24) - A command to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with others.

Yeshua also knew that even though the gospel is wonderful news, not everyone would be open to receive this good news. There will be those who reject the good news and even become hostile towards those who shares the good news. Yeshua knew this and He told them, And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved – Matthew 10:22 KJV. The last words that Yeshua said as recorded in the book of Matthew is, ‘And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age’. What a promise! What encouragement! What hope! What joy! I love the NLT version, ‘And be sure of this’. This says to me, have not doubt, have no fear, be confident and know, that I Yeshua is with us always, not sometimes, but always - even to the end of the age. We can be certain and stand firm knowing that Yeshua will not leave us nor forsake us, even when times get difficult. Hallelujah!!!!

So, if you are feeling tired, feel like giving up, feel like throwing in the towel, I say to you, ‘HOLD ON’, Yeshua is with you and will be with you always! You can be sure of this!

What You Can Do with What God Has Given?

“If you say, ‘Behold, we did not know this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will He not repay man according to his work?” - Proverbs 24:12

Small acts of faith and compassion matter when we obey God’s call to serve.

Many people feel powerless, unable to do anything meaningful. Others are so preoccupied with their own problems that they’re never moved by needs in the world. Some see mountains and assume they cannot be climbed. Others see armies and assume defeat is inevitable. Some stay so busy they don’t realize they have important choices to make.

Addressing the attitudes of people like this, “Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do a little.” (Edmund Burke) Each of us can do something. We’re accountable for the resources we’ve been given, and we have a responsibility to do whatever we can.

Some people are like the priest and Levite who saw a wounded man but walked on by. Others are like the Samaritan who reached out in compassion and helped meet the man’s needs. Yeshua said that we are to be like this good Samaritan (Luke 10:30–37).

God knows our hearts. He knows what He’s given us and what we can do. He’s looking for people who will be His servants...who reach out to help...who are ready to give to others.

Make sure you’re not guilty of doing nothing because you “could only do a little.” Be ready to bless others with the blessings God has given you. Ask Him to show you what He wants you to do.

Dear Heavenly Father, give us greater compassion for the needs of others. Help us to be faithful with the resources You’ve given us. In Yeshua’s Name…Amen.