“Listen”
Scripture Reading for February 22nd: Deuteronomy 5-7
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your foreheads. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9
This passage is known by faithful Jews as the “Shema”. The Hebrew word means “listen”. The Shema is quoted twice daily by devout Jews around the world reminding them of the importance of a relationship with the one true God. This passage was quoted in part by Jesus when he was asked which was the greatest commandment. He answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)
God wants us to have ears to hear His voice! Remember that the nation of Israel did not want to hear God’s voice speaking His commandments. They had asked Moses to hear for them so they would not die. But faith comes by hearing the Word of God! (Romans 10:17)
There is no other God but God, the creator of heaven and earth. He is holy and complete in Himself. He loves them, desiring the best for them. His love is expressed in his Word and commandments. When we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, we are actively responding to His Word. Because we love Him, we obey His commands. (John 15:9-11) His joy will be in us and our life will be full!
We need to impress these commands of the Lord on our children. The most effective way to pass them on is to live them out and speak about them in the normal flow of life. Live them out from morning to night. Make them the focus of all you do because they are on your own heart! What an impact on the next generation! Are you listening?
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