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Daily Devotion: Deuteronomy 4:7-8

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Deuteronomy 4:7-8    "For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?  (8)  And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?"

Because of his disobedience, God had already reaffirmed that Moses would be able to look across into the Promised Land, but would not be able to go into it. Because of Moses' meekness, he is taking this time to encourage the people and also to encourage Joshua who would lead the people across the Jordan River into the land of promise.  We have seen that it is time for the people to go forward and enjoy the blessings of the land.  Moses reminded them of the great victories, but in this fourth chapter, he also reminded them of the consequences when some of them followed the way of the world when enticed to bow to idols. He warns them not to follow that which is contrary to the Lord.

I pray the people in Washington DC, those on the Supreme Court, those in state governments, and in local governments would stop to read the two verses that we use as a text today.  But since these words will not go into their eyesight, I pray that each of us will stop, read, and consider what these two verses are saying to us.  Let me, just now, repeat the questions that Moses presented to the people of Israel. "What other nation is so great and has God so close in all those things for which we call upon Him? What nation is so great that has laws and judgments that have been given directly by God, Himself?"

Why would anyone want to try to improve upon that which the Most High and Holy God has dictated unto His people?  Why would anyone want to change the laws that are based upon the very law of God that was given and recorded in His Holy Word?  Why would anyone want to turn to the way of the world when God has given His precious promises and fulfills them as we walk with Him?  Why would anyone want to follow an idol that is made of men's hands? Or even follow an idea that is formed and fashioned in humanity's depraved manner of thinking?  God has promised specific blessings when  we follow Him and He has given specific warnings that are definite and sure when we turn from Him.

There is nothing so sweet as walking with the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our nation, the wonderful United States of America, has been so abundantly blessed as we walked with Him. But we do not have to look very far to see we are quickly turning away from Him to follow "Baalpeor".   "Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.  (4)  But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day." (Deuteronomy 4:3-4)  Baalpeor refers to the gods of the world. So now the question lies before us:  Will we obey man's depraved ways? Or, will we follow the way of the Lord God Almighty?   May we say as Joshua, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

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