Always And Always!

During the development of the relationship between my wife and I prior to marriage and the continuing building of it after marriage, besides writing poetry to each other we also frequently exchanged little gifts; tokens of our feelings for each other. One item she gave me about two years into our marriage had the words, "I'll Love You Always And All Ways." It is still on the wall in our bedroom today. The many ways in which we have interacted with and related to each other has continued to reveal the sincerity and steadfastness of that love.

As Moses was providing the nation of Israel with a reminder of the commands of God prior to that generation entering into the promised land, he reminded them of the earlier generation's statement (while gathered at the mountain) of their willingness to obey ( Deuteronomy 5:27) and how God had responded. In God's response was the wish. . .

"(29) OH THAT THEY HAD SUCH A MIND AS THIS ALWAYS, TO FEAR ME AND TO KEEP ALL MY COMMANDMENTS, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!" ( Deuteronomy 5:29 ESV)

Unfortunately things had not gone well because the people had not continued in obedience to God and therefore were kept from entering the promised land themselves. The focus on this later occasion turned to a new generation and to subsequent generations as well. ( Deuteronomy 6:20-23) Continuing in submission to the commands of God would mean a continuance of God's goodness toward them. As Moses' exhorted further regarding what was to be said to future generations we read. . .

"(24) And the LORD commanded us to DO ALL THESE STATUTES, to FEAR THE LORD our God, FOR OUR GOOD ALWAYS, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. (25) And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.'" ( Deuteronomy 6:24-25 ESV)

"SUCH A MIND AS THIS ALWAYS" and "FOR OUR GOOD ALWAYS." The meeting of "ALWAYS" and "ALWAYS"! God's commands always have OUR GOOD IN MIND. That ought to be met with the possessing of a GOOD MIND that is focused to surrender to His commands ALWAYS and IN ALL WAYS! As would have been for Israel, "it will be righteousness for us", because it is the right approach to life God desires.

Have a great day SURRENDERED TO GOD'S WILL FOR OUR OWN GOOD AND HIS GLORY!
Carl

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