“When… you return to the Lord your God and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you… And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live… For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you… when you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
“For this commandment is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land… But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them,.. you shall surely perish… Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days.” Deuteronomy 30:1-3,6,9-20
There were high stakes for how Israel would handle God’s word going forth without Moses. The God whose power was in that word issued clear commands for their present and future good, explicitly describing the choices before them and their attending consequences. Not only had He first conveyed His law to His beloved servant, but He would issue warnings and blessings regarding that law through him too. (Exodus 24:12; Deuteronomy 33:1-5,29)
The call to keep God’s word near is a relevant and applicable reminder. So many things vie for our close proximity and urgent attention. The word calls us to account, instructs and informs decisions, and prompts praise and thanksgiving. Wholehearted love and obedience come by regular reading and meditation, memorization and recitation.
What are we doing to keep the word close and know it well? When the world’s sultry music tempts the heart, or life’s minor notes condemn us to a dirge, would we sing melodies of His promises? When experts and thought leaders dictate fabricated ‘truth’ and poke us with fear, cynicism, or stress, would we don the word to guard and guide our thinking? It is no empty word, but substantial hope and help! How will we pass it on? (Deuteronomy 31:10-13,19-22; 32:1-4,44-47)
Father, keep your word close as my chief delight and highest aim, so You are glorified as my life, the length and end of my days.
As the rain and snow 