March 13th

Deuteronomy 3:21-5:33

Moses continued his retelling of the exodus journey, specifically Israel’s experience at Mt. Sinai. Of the time spent there, he reminded the people of the covenant God made with them and the laws He gave them in the Ten Commandments.

In the process of repeating those statutes, Moses pointed out that this type of relationship with a god has never happened before, that Israel was privileged with a unique situation. “Search all of history, from the time God created people on the earth until now. Then search from one end of the heavens to the other. See if anything as great as this has ever happened before. Has any nation ever heard the voice of God? Has any other god taken a nation for Himself by rescuing it from another by means of trials, miraculous signs, wonders, war, awesome power, and terrifying acts? Yet that is what the Lord your God did for you in Egypt, right before your very eyes” (4:32-35).

In essence, Moses said that Israel had been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he was pleading with them not to mess up. But how could the Israelites possibly mess up? How could they forfeit this great opportunity? By getting distracted and failing to follow through with the commitment they made.

Moses warned them, “Watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! You must obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following His instructions in every detail” (4:9; 5:32).

Our spiritual enemy would do everything in his power to distract them from faithfulness and obedience to God. He does the same in our lives, whatever it takes to distract us from our devotion to Christ. That’s why obedience is so important. It keeps us grounded. It keeps us anchored and doesn’t allow for us to float away with every passing trend or so-called “truth.” We must follow where the Lord leads and do what He says. The difficulty lies in avoiding the many distractions that come our way.

Daily Reflection

Besides being obedient to the words and ways of God, what are some things you can do to avoid the distractions that the Devil may send your way?

Have you fallen prey to distractions or are you holding to your commitment to the Lord?

“I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3). Don’t let that happen to you! Keep your focus and keep your faith.

BiAY.org | Day 72 — 293 Days to Go