![[Photo of a Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/Deuteronomy_10_12-13.jpg)
| “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you…” |
| —Deuteronomy 10:12a |
In developing a relationship with someone, have you ever asked the question, “Exactly what do you expect of me?”
Such a question usually arises because something has happened that has put a bit of a strain on the relationship. Not wanting to cause a further disturbance to the equilibrium of the relationship, we reach out to try to understand exactly what the other person expects of us.
As Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the desert, there came a time when God instructed Moses to ascend the mountain and receive the stone tablets on which God had written ten laws he wanted His people to follow. While Moses was absent, the people became impatient. They created a golden calf and began to worship it, instead of remaining faithful to God.
When Moses came down from the mountain, he was furious that the people had disobeyed God, created an idol to worship, and generally put themselves in severe disarray. In disgust and anger, Moses threw down the two stone tablets on which God had written the Ten Commandments. The tablets broke into pieces.
Now, God had summoned Moses to return to the mountain, fashion two new tablets, and God had graciously written His ten laws on the new tablets. As Moses comes down off the mountain, he gathers the people together and answers the question, “What does God expect us to do?” Moses’ answer is found in Deuteronomy 10:12-13:
And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
As “Christ’s-ones,” we have been grafted in to the chosen people of God. And, while we are no longer under the Law, but under grace, the message of the Law reminds us of what it means to be devoted to God.
Therefore, this new day, let’s understand that with our sins covered by the blood of God’s Son, Jesus, He still relates to us in a way that demands our obedience in all things. Thus, God asks us today to fear Him—that is to hold Him in the highest possible regard—to walk in obedience to Him, to love Him, to serve Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to observe His commands by and through the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us.
