Just a Thought: God gave us His word to follow to make us wise and to be a witness. When the Lord was preparing Israel to go into possess the Promised Land, He gave them His word (the Law). He clearly stated to them that following His word would establish a godly reputation for them that would accomplish three things. First, obedience would bring His blessing resulting in full and fulfilling lives or them. Second, it would set them apart from all other nations, making them spiritually and morally unique. Third, the first two things would result in other nations being drawn to God by the testimony of Israel among them. Listen to what Moses told them. “See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?” (Deut 4:5-7) Now, personalize this passage by inserting your name in the blanks. “See, I have taught _________decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that _________ may follow them in the land _______ are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show ________ wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this ____________ is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near ______ whenever ________ pray to him?” (Deut 4:5-8) This is how a godly reputation and lifestyle work. You live in a home with a family and in a community, city, state and nation. You can be used of God to be a difference maker. God gave us His word to follow to make us wise and to be a witness. And when we follow His word, it accomplishes these things. Let us all commit as the people of God to allow the Lord to accomplish these things in us because we are faithful to follow His word.
