Monday Reflection – November 29, 2021

Monday Reflection – November 29, 2021
God’s Conditionality

If you will only obey the Lord your God: Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out. Deuteronomy 28:1,6

Life is generally conditional. In whatever sphere of life we find ourselves, conditions exist. So we tell our children that if they study hard and do what is required, they will excel in their studies and ultimately be successful in life. Many companies tell workers that if they do their job and meet or exceed expectations, they will be rewarded, whether by keeping their job, get bonuses and/or get a promotion. Admittedly, we also know that in many parts of society, including politics and business, many times if persons know some important person or rather they know them or they have some connections, then such persons get benefits and priviledges that are not accorded to the regular person. The conditionality of life is a living reality.

Such conditionality of life is also relevant in our walk with the Lord. While God graciously dispenses His grace, mercy and love to us, evident in His provisions, protection etc., there are some blessings reserved for those who follow God. In the context of today’s Watchword, Moses continues to provide guidance to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the long-awaited Promised Land. Moses begins chapter 28 with the conditional word ‘if’ that looms large. Moses exhorts the nation regarding the matter of choice. The idea behind the choice is that God was determined to reveal Himself to the world through Israel. He would do this either by making them so blessed that the world would know only God could have blessed them so; or by making them so cursed that only God could have cursed them and cause them to still survive. The choice was up to Israel.

In our own lives, God desires to reveal Himself to and through us. We experience times and seasons of apparent fullness and lack, opportunity and trial. Somehow, there seems to be a choice that is up to us, something or someone is beckoning to us with a message and a reason for our survival. Our Creator wishes to make Himself known to us, and then through us to the world. Note that this message from Moses is similar to ancient treaties between a king and his people; this is God the King, making a covenant with His people, Israel. 

All of God’s promises, which were a covenant with His people, ended with a blessing. So, if God’s people obeyed him, they would be set high above all the nations of the earth. Blessings shall come upon them and overtake them, they couldn’t escape it. They would be blessed in the city and in the field; the fruit of their womb, the fruit of their ground, the fruit of their livestock would be blessed; their basket and their kneading bowl would be blessed; and they would be blessed when they come in, and when they they out (vss. 1-6). Oh what blessings await us when we obey God and diligently do His will!

In the midst of human nature where we want to do our own thing, we must always be prepared to deal with the inevitable disaster. Yet, we have a God who desires only what is best for us and promises sweet blessings when we do His will. God also promises a beautiful relationship that produces growth and ultimate actualization for us. We remember that Jesus said: ‘Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’ Matthew 12:50. Let’s do God’s will and enjoy the benefits.

Jermaine Gibson