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.

A good friend, indeed!

Exodus 31 - 40

These closing chapters taught me even more about God's character and His relationship to me.

First, in Chapter 31 - I love how He talks about the gifts He's given people.  It says, "I have...given him great wisdom and skill in all kinds of crafts."  (vs 3) and "I have given special skill to all naturally talented craftsmen."     

Can you imagine being able to give someone a skill?  I've been pretty excited to give people gifts, to the point that I can hardly wait for them to open them!  Especially when I make a homemade gift.  But really, we're talking scrapbooks and hand wash from Bath and Body Works, here.  I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to point at someone and say..."I hear by give you the gift to sing songs like angels!"  Bam!  What power!!  

I just think it's awesome, and it shows how big God is.  He has a plan and He created and gifted everyone of us in a certain way to carry out His plan.  I just think that is so cool.

Another thing about God.  He changes His mind.  Moses asked Him to change His mind about His plans and God did!  (32:12-14) Good to know.

Later in that same chapter, He gets the Levites to kill those who "didn't go on the Lord's side."  What the heck?  Must say, having a hard time with that one.  I don't understand why God would do that.  I know He wants us to love Him above all else but I've always understood that there will be a time and place for judgement.  And making brother kill brother?  Father turn against son?  Ugh.  Three thousand were killed that day.  I know I may never understand why, I just have to trust that God had a reason.   

And really, when it comes right down it - He's God, and I'm not.  He doesn't have to explain anything to me.  That's where faith comes in, and trusting that God never gives us second best. 

Ok, this next verse is so funny to me.  I'm sure it wasn't funny to God, but it shows me a side of Him that sounds just like a parent.

 "...but I will not travel along with you.  If I did, I would be tempted to destroy you along the way."
 - Exodus 33:3

Ha!  Actually, I quite enjoy travelling with my kids but I have had the "pleasure" of travelling with other families and I quite understand God's frustration with them.  I'm sure he feels the same way with His children today...and with me.

He was faithful with them time and time again.  They complained, doubted, sinned and even made a new "god" to worship!  ...and yet He still wanted to keep His promise - to give them this wonderful land - flowing with milk and honey. 

He just couldn't bring Himself to travel along with them, or He might kill them!  Totally understandable. 

A few other verses that gave me more "peaks" into God's heart and how He feels about me.

33:14 - "I will personally go with you, I will give give you rest - everything will be fine for you."

33:17 - "....you are my friend."

34:14 - "for He is a God who is passionate about His relationship with you."

I always knew God loved me but it really feels awesome to hear Him say, "you are my friend and I am passionate about you."  

Not only that but He has the power to "give me rest and make everything fine!"

Now THAT'S a good friend to have!!