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God’s Rubric: growing in wisdom as Jesus did
“Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” Deuteronomy 5:33
Let’s remember what an honor it is to be God’s display. His plan is that our lives, would draw others to Him.
We are God’s display for all the people to see what a mighty and wondrous God we serve. If we live wisely God says, “ you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?” Deuteronomy 4:
The Ten Commandments are found in Deuteronomy 5 1-21. Read them and practice them to grow wiser. Let’s ask God to open our hearts and minds to living out the decrees and commands he set before the children of Israel.
Were there other decrees and commands?
In verse 29 we read God’s words of affirmation toward his children who showed reverence and respect toward his all consuming fire. God said to Moses, “Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever. Go and tell them, “Return to your tents.” But you (Moses) stand here with me so I can give you all my commands, decrees, and regulations. You must teach them to the people so they can obey them in the land I am giving them as their possession.’”
Again God talked with his children about the importance of obedience as they stood poised to take the land. He also promises prosperity for those and their descendants who obey his commandments.
Today as I end this first segment of God’s rubric: Jesus grew in wisdom, I want to ask God to be my constant reminder, never letting me forget who is the Giver of all I have.
Let’s read Deuteronomy 8:6-20.
The first verses describe the amazing land God has given his children. The paragraph ends, “When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”
How often we take and take for granted the food, nourishment, comfort, blessings God has given. How often we allow the challenges and trials of our life to overshadow the bounty of God’s love.
“Be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.” These words resonate in my soul.
Father God, Forgive me when I forget to praise you for all the good you have placed in my life. You alone are the Giver of every good thing I have. I also know, Lord, that You have allowed difficulties, trials, and challenges to enter my life. They too are blessings, tribulations meant to strengthen me and wisen me. I also thank you for them, even though the pain is sometimes unbearable. May I never stop praising you, God!
I continue reading, beginning with verse 11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God…”
I need a reminder to stay the course if I am going to grow in wisdom as Jesus did.
To grow in wisdom this year, I will develop a practice of praising God. I will ask God to show up regularly in my life throughout my day so I might stop for a moment to praise Him!
Remember: Jesus is God’s rubric. He went to temple where he listened to the teachers of the word. He asked questions and he grew in wisdom. We are without excuse in our Christian walk. We have Jesus’ life to point the way toward success and an intimate relationship with our God!
What happened next in Jesus’ life? Come back Saturday as we seek to follow Him.
I have been reading daily in Exodus and was feeling bogged down today by all the descriptions of the garments, alters, etc. in this book. This devotion has helped me to hear the love of God directing his children in the many details as well as how we need to live our lives.