Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-9
Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.
Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?
A Thought
Moses teaches Israel the decrees and law of the Lord God for them to live by as they take possession of the land God had promised to their forefathers. By obeying their righteous decrees and laws, not adding to them or taking away from the commands, the other nations would see their wisdom and understanding by the way God is near them when they pray. We all need to learn of the commands of our God the Almighty and obey them for our own good and also that other nations would have respect for us as one nation under God!
Our Prayer
Father forgive us as a people and as a nation for adding to your decrees and taking away from your commands. We are a stiff-necked people who are much in need of your forgiveness. We humbly pray for our world that you draw near to us and show us your mercy and grace that we will return in obedience to your Word. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
