Because He first loved me.

Deuteronomy 4

In chapter 4, Moses begins getting into the laws and regulations the Israelites will be living by in the new land. 

Before he digs into them, he tells the people one of the purposes of these laws.  He says that if they obey them carefully, their wisdom and intelligence will be displayed to other nations.

He says, "What great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on Him?"

He also warns them - if they don't obey God, they will be scattered and destroyed, worshiping idols of other nations.  Almost immediately his warning turns into prophesy.  He's actually telling them that this will happen and when it does, when those bitter days have come upon them far into the future, they will finally return to the Lord and listen to what He tells them. 

"For the Lord God is merciful - he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant He made with your ancestors." (4:30,31)

It really is a beautiful chapter outlining God's wonderful love and never ending faithfulness and how He's chose to reveal Himself to us through trials, miracles, wonders, awesome power, war and terrifying acts! 

Moses asks them - "Has anything this great ever happened before?  Has any nation heard the voice of their god - or been rescued by their god?" (4:32,33)

I think not!  If only people (not just then, but now) would open their eyes and see for themselves how great is our God!  They just can't get past the rules they have to follow and commands they are called to keep. 

I was at small group last night and we talked about how people get so stuck in the past, to the point where they can't move forward.  They chose to stay buried beneath the rubble of their hurts and sin.  If only they knew the freedom that comes from letting God grab hold of their heart and heal them. 

It's so sad to me the people that go through life without God.  Without the hope of a brand new future and eternal life.  Who wouldn't want that?  They just can't understand that they can know the creator of the universe in a very real and personal way.  They assume He's far off and distant and it's a "made up" relationship that we've created.  

What they don't realize is the more you experience God in a personal way, the more you want to return that love.  Following His commands is a way we can do that.  We don't do it out of guilt (well, some do) and we don't do it to make others feel bad (unfortunately some do that too). 

We follow Him because we love Him, we want to return His love.  

It's like a friend that keeps on forgiving you over and over again.  You've been caught talking behind her back numerous times.  You've stood her up, ditching her for other plans or other friends.  You use her, keep her around for what she can give you, lend you or do for you.  You apologize, sometimes because you mean it...most times because you are just expected to.  

And she forgives you.  She continues to forgive you.  She keeps loving you.  Keeps giving you gifts, lending you things.  Running errands for you, when you don't even ask.  She sticks up for you and speaks greatly of you, even when you aren't around.  

Eventually something inside you clicks and see what a great friend she truly is.  In fact, never has there been as great of friend as she.  For some reason, she loves you so much...and you just gotta love back.   

You start doing things for her.  You meet her for coffee, even when it might not be convenient.  You take time out of your busy day to pick up some things for her when she's filling ill.  You watch her kids.  You drive her places.  You lend her your car.  You do all of these things because you love her.

Not so that she will love you.  

...'cause she already did. 

And that is why we follow God's commands.  Not so that He will love us.

...but because He already does.

And eventually ya just gotta love back.