Deuteronomy 30:9-14 (NRSV)
Read Deuteronomy 30:9-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9and the Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, Verse 10when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
Verse 11Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. Verse 12It is not in heaven, that you should say, "Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?" Verse 13Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, "Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?" Verse 14No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.
Devotion
Teaching confirmation is one of my greatest joys and one of my greatest challenges. As I attempt to share with students the joy and treasures of Luther’s Small Catechism and the Bible, they anxiously cry out that it is too hard for them, that the expectations are too great. How could God expect them to keep Sabbath when their teachers give them homework? How can they be expected not to covet when they see all the wonderful things that will bring them happiness?
When we begin to follow God’s word, when we put his word into practice, we do see blessings all around us and our lives are changed. God’s word is indeed in our mouths and in our hearts. What a joy it is for us today to embrace the word of God living inside of us and allow that word to guide our daily steps.
Prayer
Word of life, thank you for writing your word into our mouths and hearts. Sometimes it feels difficult to follow your word. Help us each day to embrace it and allow you to guide us in our every step. Amen.