ESOCS Devotional 2 March 2022
TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 6:3-6
MEMORY VERSE: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Monotheism (belief in one God) was a distinctive feature of Hebrew religion. Many ancient religions believed in many gods – polytheism. But the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is one God, the God of the whole earth, the only true God. So, this was an important insight for the nation of Israel because they were about to enter a land filled with peopled who believed in many gods. They must not have (or serve) any other god beside God [Deuteronomy 5:7]. It is not just having God only, but they MUST love Him with all their heart, their soul, and their might. Why?
First, heart, soul, and might is the totality of the human personality. The emphasis, therefore, is that the totality of man (the Israelites) must be given to God. The Israelites must submit their whole being, belief, worship and time to the only True God who brought them out of the land of Egypt. Secondly, they must not “visit” God occasionally in times of trouble and need only. Thirdly, God must be the central focus of their existence. And lastly, all of their life must be consummated with the presence of God. Israelites hearkened, but were punished whenever they disobeyed.
Today, some people prefer to place their trust in different values, belief systems, and “gods”. The greatest commandment is to love God with all heart, soul, and might especially at this time when many religions and “Jesuses” are springing up. It keeps getting worse daily. Let us hearken now.
- Do you find it difficult turning in your whole self in thought, attitude, and words to God?
- Ask God to help you in your areas of weaknesses.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 10:12-13; 30: 6; 2 Kings 23:25; Matthew 22:34-38, 40
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ESOCS Devotional 2 March 2022
