In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is giving his last words to the children of Israel. He has come to the end of his journey and is telling the people what to expect in the future. He was not allowed to enter the Promised Land with the children of Israel because when God told him to speak to a rock and it would give water, he instead struck the rock. He disobeyed the Lord and missed out on the bountiful land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
In Deuteronomy chapters 28-30, he gave them the blessing and cursing. If the people of Israel obeyed God and served Him only, they would possess the land and He would bless all their days. If they did not obey God, they would be cursed and would reap all the evil things the people of that land reaped. As we look back at the children of Israel, we see they did not follow God and received the curses that Moses had promised from God.
We can learn a great lesson from the people of Israel. If we as a nation will obey God’s teaching in the Word—the Bible—God will bless us. And if we do not obey His teachings, then we will suffer the consequences. Therefore, one of the great lessons from Scripture is to always obey God. He has never promised to give the ungodly what they pray for. He has allowed bad things to happen to them.
What a blessing it would be for us if we obeyed God’s teaching on forgiveness, love, repentance, marriage, the family, salvation, and the list goes on. Today, we must take the Bible seriously and realize that it is the Word of God and it is able to save us. Listen to the words of Peter in 1 Peter 1:22-23, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.” (NASB)
James tells us in James 1:21, “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.” God’s word is important for each one of us to follow. If we desire to be with God throughout all eternity, we must be obedient to Him all the days of our lives. Are you trying to learn from the Bible how to live your life? If not, today would be a good day to start. Will you?