“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth”
Deuteronomy 28:1 (KJV)
How many of us have heard this statement, “It runs in the family”, or “It’s our family sickness” or “It’s our family thing”? A grand-parent, an old aunt, or your own mother or sibling, says this to explain away certain situations occurring in the family; be it, unmarried men or women, certain types of illnesses or death, infertility, or poverty.
Relatives are always quick to point out that the same situation had occurred several times before. We may ask ourselves why would God allow certain situations to occur in our families? What does God say about such things? Why as a child of God should these things happen to me? Beloved, God desires for every one of His children to be blessed and to live fruitful lives. We are all worthy of God’s blessings through the special grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. While this is so, we are reminded in today’s Scripture reading that these blessings are conditional, we are to diligently hearken to the voice of God, (Deuteronomy 28:1). To ‘diligently hearken’ means to listen carefully to God’s directions, and when we do this all the blessings stated will come upon us, (Deuteronomy 28:2-14).
Therefore, even though some of us would have come into the world and met certain situations in our families, through the knowledge and application of God’s Word we can break those things off our lives. While we are fully aware that our words and thoughts have power, (Proverbs 18:21), the entrance (diligently hearkening) of God’s Word, brings light (Psalm 119:130).
Let us all walk in obedience so that we can lay claim to every promise outlined in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. And remember, God delights in blessing us.
Prayer
Father God, I pray that You would help me to examine my life and identify all those things that have caused me not to benefit from the promises in Your Word. Help me to walk in obedience that these blessings may come upon me. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Read: Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Matthew 6:33; Isaiah 54:17
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 89:9-13; Romans 9:1-21; Hosea 11:12; Hosea 12; Hosea 13; Hosea 14
