Pause

What do you expect from God? For some, this is the question.

But then there is this one: What does God expect from you?

There may be answers to both in the moments just ahead. Listen carefully for the whisper of answers.

Listen

See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today, by loving the Lord your God, walking in his ways, and observing his commandments, decrees, and ordinances, then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.

Deuteronomy 30:15-16

Think

Cinnamon Life or Honey Bunches of Oats? This is a choice my young daughters have to make each day before they get ready for school. I sometimes have other options for them, but these are their favorites and usually the only cereals in our cabinet. I find it a pleasure to set their bowls on the table and fill each with the right combination of cereal and milk. It makes me smile to see them enjoying their breakfast, and it makes me somewhat proud that they are engaging in what some would say is the most important meal of the day.

Life and prosperity or death and adversity? This is the choice the Israelites have to make, and Moses commands them to make the right choice. If they choose to love God and follow God’s commands, then God will bless them with a prosperous life. It’s simple and profound, as well as the most important choice they will make as they prepare to enter the promise land.

Breakfast is important, but the most important decision we can make each day is to love God and follow God’s commands.

Patrick Jones

Pray

As I enter this new day, O Lord, help me to choose to love you and observe your commands. Amen.

Go

Go now expectantly into your day,
And walk with your eyes to the horizon.

Believe with confidence;
Anticipate the new;
Assume the unknown;
Be ready for change.

Trust that the Creator is at work;
Await the prompting of Spirit.

Look forward to challenge,
And make it your intention to respond.

Count on God.