Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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God’s Compassion That Calls Us to Obedience

Bible Reading:  Deuteronomy 4:31-40

Key Verse Vs 40

V39-40“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.”.

DEVOTION

In Deuteronomy 4:31-40, we see that Moses speaks to the people of Israel on the edge of the Promised Land. These words come at a pivotal moment - after years of wandering, after rebellion, after judgment, and yet right before blessing. Moses reminds them who God is and why they must respond to Him. Moses reveals that our obedience is not a way to "earn" God’s love; rather, it is the only logical response to a God who has already loved us with an unparalleled compassion.
1: God’s Compassion Revealed in History (v. 31-34)
God’s compassion isn’t just a feeling; it is historical fact. Moses urges the people to look back! God spoke from fire at Horeb. He rescued one nation from another with signs, wonders, war, and mighty hand. He loved their ancestors, chose them, delivered them from Egypt, and is now driving out stronger nations to give them the land. In Christ, God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us. He took our place in the fire of judgment so we could live. This compassion calls us to know Him as the one true God.
2: God’s Compassion Disciplines and Draws Us (v. 35-38)
 “From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire” (v 36).  Discipline is not the opposite of compassion but it flows from compassion. God’s compassion disciplines us through His Word, through trials, through conviction of the Holy Spirit. Because He refuses to let us destroy ourselves. He draws us back to obedience, not to burden us, but to bless us.
3: God’s Compassion Calls Us to Obedience (v. 39-40)
The passage builds to a clear conclusion: “Acknowledge that the LORD is God. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands; so that it may go well with you and your children after you.”
Obedience is not the price we pay to earn God’s compassion. Obedience is the grateful, trusting response to the compassion we have already received. True obedience starts in the heart. God has already loved, chosen, rescued, and committed Himself to us; therefore, we obey.
Because He is merciful, we can return when we fail.
Because He is compassionate, we trust His commands are for our good.
Because there is no other God, we give Him our whole commitment.
In Christ, we are not under law as a burden but under grace that empowers us to walk in His ways.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we stand amazed at Your compassion. Thank You for Your unbreakable covenant love. Stir our hearts to obey out of gratitude. Help us to keep Your commands. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

God’s compassion is not an excuse to remain in sin but it is the strongest reason to obey Him.


Sam Rojin Oommen 
 Trinity Mar Thoma Church, Houston 

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