Listen

Look here! Today I’ve set before you life and what’s good versus death and what’s wrong. If you obey the Lord your God’s commandments that I’m commanding you right now by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments, his regulations, and his case laws, then you will live and thrive, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

Deuteronomy 30:15-16

Think

During February, my home is consumed with basketball. My sons eat, sleep, and breathe basketball plays, practice, tournaments, and games on TV. As contrary as it seems, part of what makes any sport or game fun is the rules. It’s no fun playing basketball if you keep getting fouled. If you didn’t get an extra point, there wouldn’t be any need to develop the skill of shooting outside the 3-point line. Great guards are made by learning not to double dribble.

Moses is reminding the Israelites of their rules of the game as they make their way to the promised land. By loving God, walking in God’s ways, and keeping God’s commandments, the Israelites will have life and experience what is good. Sometimes rules and boundaries feel restrictive and frustrating, but we experience God’s love best when we play the game and follow the rules. God’s ways help us to feel and experience love.

Whitney Edwards-Russell

Question to Ponder:

How do God’s rules actually help you to feel loved?

Pray

God, thank you for loving me so much that you have given me rules, guides, and ways to help experience your love best. Help me to choose love by seeing the goodness in your ways. Amen.

Go

Jesus loves me still today,

walking with me on my way,

wanting as a friend to give

light and love to all who live.

Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.

– Anna B. Warner, “Jesus Loves Me”