Proper Life Focus!

It amazes me (though it probably should not) how often I come across a single passage of Scripture, that by itself can make a dynamic difference if applied to life. What a different world this would be if everyone followed the principles Jesus outlined in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew chapters 5-7) What a different world it would be if everyone loved God and others in the manner in which both the Old Law and Jesus instructed. ( Matthew 22:37-39) Or how about the principles of interpersonal relations shared by Paul ( Romans 12:9-21) or the principles of speech share by Paul ( Ephesians 4:29) and James ( James 3:2-12), etc.? And the list goes on.

Recently preparing for a Bible class discussion of the twenty second chapter of Joshua, I was drawn to seven important words in a single verse. As Joshua was releasing the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to return to their possession on the east side of the Jordan, he urged. . .

"(5) Only be very CAREFUL to OBSERVE the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to LOVE the Lord your God, and to WALK in all his ways and to KEEP his commandments and to CLING to him and to SERVE him with all your heart and with all your soul." ( Joshua 22:5 ESV)

Here we have addressed the proper manner of RELATING TO GOD AND TO HIS COMMANDS. With regard to the commands of God given through Moses they were to not just be careful, but VERY CAREFUL to OBSERVE them as they were to WALK in them and KEEP them. Then associated with their relationship to God they were to LOVE Him, CLING to Him and SERVE Him with their entire heart and soul. What a huge difference that would have made in Israel's history if they had always maintained such a focus on God's commands and on their personal relationship with Him. They would have retained their trust in Him. They would have continued to receive His bountiful blessings. A sincere LOVE for Him would have kept them from being drawn away into idolatry. However, too many times the commands of God were forgotten and their backs were turned on Him. (i.e. 2 Chronicles 29:6; Jeremiah 2:27)

What about us? How tightly are we CLINGING to God as we seek to SERVE His purposes in this life? Are we holding tightly to Him and His Way? As we read through the Scriptures are we being VERY CAREFUL to OBSERVE and KEEP what God is trying to reveal to us so that those practical principles become our life WALK? May we keep these seven words in mind: CAREFUL, OBSERVE, LOVE, WALK, KEEP, CLING, and SERVE! Let them always be words associated with our view of God and His Will. Such will aid in bringing all else into proper focus as well.

Have a great day KEEPING OUR FACE TOWARD GOD AND HIS WILL!
Carl

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