SUCCESS IN YOUR NEW ENDEAVOR
In Deuteronomy 11, the Hebrew people were on the brink of crossing the Jordan River and settling in new territory. However, there was a major caveat that The Lord informed His people about and I think this warning and instruction applies today. I will not quote all of Deuteronomy 11 here, but trust you will read it now and then continue with my assessment.
Throughout the Old Testament the reader can easily observe God delivering "If...Then" statements to His people. This is one of those instances. God had promised them a better land and was ready to capitalize on His promise, then proceeded to warn them what the consequences of disobedience would be. God also mentioned the better side of the equation. If His people observed His commands, the results were to be strength, long life, rains in due seasons and nations driven out by God Himself.
However, the warning of disobedience also came with what was waiting for them in the new area of conquest - temptations to serve other gods. God knew this was going to be a stumbling block for them, so He gave them the wisdom up-front. What was this wisdom?
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth." (vv. 18-21)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Throughout the Old Testament the reader can easily observe God delivering "If...Then" statements to His people. This is one of those instances. God had promised them a better land and was ready to capitalize on His promise, then proceeded to warn them what the consequences of disobedience would be. God also mentioned the better side of the equation. If His people observed His commands, the results were to be strength, long life, rains in due seasons and nations driven out by God Himself.
However, the warning of disobedience also came with what was waiting for them in the new area of conquest - temptations to serve other gods. God knew this was going to be a stumbling block for them, so He gave them the wisdom up-front. What was this wisdom?
The idea is The Word of God needs to saturate the home. Notice first that God's Word is fixed in hearts and minds. Whether that is memorization or experience, God desires His Word to get rooted in two places we really need to guard these days - our hearts and minds. Then we see God's Word written and found on the person, door frame and gate of your yard. This shorthand or "symbols" might manifest as a tatoo, a friendship bracelet with a verse on it, necklace or string on the finger today. I imagine back then, those that could write would attach a parchment with a symbol of a verse to their clothing or person to help them through the day.
The real kicker is hearing God's Word in the home. We can have it in our hearts, minds and all over our person and house, but there is power in speaking God's Word. This is especially true if you have a family. For those called as the spiritual leader of their family, this passage leaves no room in the day for hardly anything else than to speak God's promises and proclaim His goodness.
- Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
For those who have children or those that are mentoring, observe how much your kids are soaked in God's Word. Have you ever been around somebody that will not shut up about a certain athlete, movie star or restaurant? This is along the same lines except God's Word is spoken all day. Something glorious would have to happen when aligned with God that way.
Just in case you may be looking at tackling a new area in your life, like the Hebrew people were, I ask you to pause and consider God's sovereignty in your life. Acknowledging His control and His plan over yours every day keeps the correct perspective fresh. There will be other "gods" in your new area of life that tempt you with other affections. However, I encourage all of us today to drench each other, inside our families. Immerse each other in God's Promises, encouragements, mercies and goodness. This means we are going to need to be submerged in The Word of God ourselves. "It is written: 'I believed; therefore I have spoken.' Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak," (2 Cor. 4:13) So, follow God's plan, live in obedience to Him in your new area of life and keep yourself and family speaking life, then you will encounter Success In Your New Endeavor.
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