Deuteronomy 6:4-5

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

The word “one” in this passage is translated from the Hebrew as alone (single in number) and first (as in ahead of everything else).

God who wants to be Number One in our lives.

This passage in Deuteronomy follows the chapter where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. He’s telling the people that if they want things to go well for them in life, then they must follow the commandments. We can apply this to our lives as well. “But we don’t live under the law,” you may say. Yes, that’s true, but we still follow the commandments that Jesus affirmed. Remember, Jesus came to fulfill the law, not abolish it! Does following the laws have anything to do with our salvation? Absolutely not! The law actually points out how wretchedly insufficient we are at saving ourselves! BUT, God’s ways of doing life are far better than our ways. If I murder someone, I’m going to jail. If I steal, same thing. If I commit adultery, well you get the idea. The Word of God is not just a list of things we can’t do, but an instruction manual on how to be in relationship with our Father and how to live a loving and godly life, one that ends with us in the presence of our Creator and Savior for all eternity! (And much more!) Obedience to God’s Word brings blessing into our lives! Disobedience to His Word brings destruction, guaranteed!

God and His Word are inseparable. To put Him first is to put His Word first. To love God is to love His Word. Prioritize the Word of God in your life! Read it, study it, meditate on it and memorize it!

Joshua 1:8
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.”

Psalm 1:1-3
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

Thank you, Lord, for your Word. I put you first today in my heart and mind. I will love you with all of my being (body, soul and spirit). Give me ears to hear what You are saying, eyes to see what You are doing and a heart that loves like Yours.