Deuteronomy 10-12

What gives the parent the permission to speak into the life of the son or daughter? What gives the teacher the right to demand from his or her students expectations and responsibilities? What is it about a policeman that allows him to stop you in your tracks and warn or fine you? For each of these, the answer lies in who they are. The parent has rights over the child because they birthed him or her. The teacher is given rights over the student by the administration and board. And the cop is the embodiment of the government’s authority over society.

Four and a half books through the Bible we have been hearing much of God’s demand, commands, edicts, expectations, commandments, and instructions. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 is a good example of this, “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statues which I [Moses] am commanding you today for your good?”

These requirements and expectations seem weighty and all-encompassing. How can this deity require so much? Simple. He does so from within the context of His position. It is all grounded in His personhood. “Behold to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it…the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God…” (Deut 10:14,17)

We must never forget that there is no other option, for there is only one Lord and God over everything. We can not refuse Him and flee to another god, which is no god at all. God places demands on His creation. We are but servants to respond…

But you know what’s cool? He is a great God. It is exciting submitting to Him and ascribing to Him all He deserves. Though transcendent, He is yet personal. It is an awesome thing to have such a “picture perfect” God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In proper perspective it brings joy to delight in God’s laws and statues, to meditate on them day and night as the psalmist writes. God’s words and instructions point us to the highest life possible and to the Highest One possible. There is nothing else greater than to know the heart of the great, the mighty, and the awesome God!

Praise God today for His reality and wonderment. Then dedicate again your heart and mind to His sweet governance.