08.24.10 “Giving it our all”
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. [a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
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Reflection Questions
Deuteronomy 6 is one of the most important texts of the Old Testament. Jews during the time of Jesus would have prayed every day what was referred to as the “Shema,” a prayer based on the fourth and fifth verses of this text. A small scroll on which these verses were written would have hung near the door frames of their houses in fulfillment of verse 9. The very simple instructions contained in this passage were meant to be a constant reminder of the responsibilities that lie at the very heart of our faith.
- How do you understand what it means to love God will “all” your heart, soul and strength?
- The command to love God is quickly followed by the further instruction to teach others. Who are you responsible for teaching? Today, pray for those who are looking to you for guidance and support in their faith journey.
Weekly Prayer
Lord, I want to grow more and more in love with you every day. I want to honor you with my every thought, my every word and my every deed. Help me, God, to see the places where I may be falling short, to discover the grace you have for the mistakes that I have made in my life and to receive again the courage you give to live a life of love and faithfulness to you. AMEN.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.