When we think of love, we often consider our feelings. Do we feel in “love” or not, but when Israel is given the command to “love the Lord your God” it wasn’t about feelings but choice. Choice to love God with your heart, your soul, and all your strength. To choose to love is the question.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9
With any command we’re given there’s a choice to do or not do. That’s the beauty (and sometimes I think downside) of free choice. I’m thankful the Lord gives us choice but sometimes we choose things that aren’t for our better good. Along with the choice of loving God and teaching our kids to love God comes blessings which is spoken of in this chapter. Notice in (v2), “and that your days may be prolonged”. It’s not a guarantee as some may think but as we seek the Lord and choose to love Him the inevitable happens. But… the choice is ours.
By the way, there are two prayers commanded in the Torah, The Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and the “Birkat Ha-Mazon” (grace after meals) commanded in Deuteronomy 8:10. So pray in front of your kids and consider giving thanks after each meal. Pretty cool huh?!
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission