February 24, 2026 - Deuteronomy 10-14

Moses ascended the mountain where God instructed him to cut new stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments.  When Moses then spoke to the nation, he said, “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?”  (10:12-13).  Love the Lord and keep his commandments, all which were for their good!  It is so easy, I believe, to think of God as some sort of difficult taskmaster always laying on us a heavy list of dos and don’ts that are burdensome, making life to have little joy.  I’m thinking, though, if one wishes to have a life without joy, don’t obey God’s commandments.  Live according to the ways of the world and according to selfish desires and find discontentment and brokenness.  Live according to God’s commandments and know life abundant and joyful!  Remember Jesus’ words?  “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).  And John tells us, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.  And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

When we walk with the Lord

in the light of his word,

what a glory he sheds on our way!

While we do his good will,

he abides with us still,

and with all who will trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear,

not a sorrow we share,

but our toil he doth richly repay;

not a grief or a loss,

not a frown or a cross,

but is blest if we trust and obey.   --John H. Sammis (1887)