“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all the commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord will set thee on high above all nations of the earth” (Deut. 28:1).
Diligence paves the road to blessings in your life.
Receiving the blessings of the covenant we have with God requires diligence on our part. God has placed in us the ability to be diligent in all things. We have to decide to be what God wants us to be.
The key word in our scripture text is the word diligently. The scripture did not just say “hearken.” It said “hearken diligently.” There are people who do what God says every so often. If they have an emergency or they are in trouble, then they get right with God. Or they may do part of what God said and not all of it. But this scripture is talking about someone who has a lifestyle of obedience.
Now in the text, God is talking to Israel, saying, “I am going to make your nation number one if you hearken unto what I say.” He said all this because they were the children of God.
We are the children of God, and we have been commissioned to hear God’s Word and obey His voice. We are not without God.
John 1:12 says “…but as many as received him, to them gave he power, the right, privilege, and authority to become the sons of God, even them that believe on His name…” (paraphrased).
In light of this, God is also talking to us in Deuteronomy 28. He is talking about what He will do for a nation who obeys Him. And, praise God, we belong to a nation – a kingdom – that obeys God. I’m not just talking about the United States. I am talking about the Kingdom of God!
When we decide to walk in diligence and obey His Word, then we are guaranteed to excel above the norm. Travel the road of diligence and enjoy the blessings of God.
Scripture References: Isa. 50:7; Ezek. 36:35-36
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).