Faithfulness

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations….”  - Deuteronomy 7:9

I hope you can read this passage and feel an element of gratefulness. This passage is about faithfulness.  Not ours.   Not at all. But God’s.  This passage has a lot of what God will do.  He will keep his end of the covenant (agreements); he will do what he says he will do.  His love is unending, i.e. “to a thousand generations.”

Oh, yes, there is something in this passage about our end of the deal.  His faithfulness extends to “those who love him and keep his commandments.”  Which can be a bit frightening, for I know I have failed him at times on both of those counts.

I have.  And, I’m guessing, so have you.

That is why we have Easter.  May we be reminded that ultimately our righteousness (being free from guilt or sin) comes not so much by what we do, but by what, or who, we trust.  The apostle Paul once wrote, “…because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption….” (Visit 1 Cor. 1:30)

Yes we still have the responsibility to “love him and keep his commandments.”  Jesus summed this up this way, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (visit Matthew 22:37-40)  Jesus’ understanding of the law is not as onerous as it might seem in Deuteronomy.  Loving the Lord your God and loving your neighbor as yourself springs from the righteousness, grace, and freedom that we have in Jesus Christ.

Think of it this way.  Jesus loves you so much.  And in response love him back and love your neighbors.  And count on him keeping his promises and unending love.  For you.  This day.

And be grateful.