Deuteronomy 6:25

24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day. 25 And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us.’

I was listening to a preacher recently who lives his life by literally following much of the Old Testament. He knows it quite well and follows it much closer than I have ever considered doing. In fact, I must admit that when I am working on a reading or study plan, I tend more toward the New Testament than the old. I need to go back and pay more attention to the Old Testament. It is there that we find the rules and laws that God set out for Isreal not just to make them different, but because he made us and knows what is best for us.

I have found several places now, the one above being just a single example, where we, God’s people (into which we have been adopted) are told that by following God’s commands we will live a long life and prosper. It makes sense that God knows what is best for us and how we ought to live, he created us and he has a plan for each of us. I am not sure why it has taken me so long to realize this, but I am now quite anxious to study Deuteronomy. I want to study how God intends us to live so I can follow Him more closely. I know that we are set free by Christ’s work on the cross from rules and laws, but we should still follow the general plan God intended. He calls us to love him and love others, and the Old Testament is where we can find the directions for how to do that.

Father, forgive me for neglecting parts of your word. I know that all scripture is God breathed and therefore profitable. Please help me to see and understand your plan for my life. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to you and gives you much glory.