God was good to Israel! He made sure that they rehearsed their history in order to pass it on to future generations. God knew that in doing so, His people would be encouraged to maintain fellowship with Him! Notice the process to which they were called to adhere:
1. Get from God
Deut. 26:1 “And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein;”
2. Give to God
“That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name there.”
3. Go obey God
V16-18 “This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;”
4. Glorify God
V19 “And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.”
LESSON - Christians know how to identify the blessings of God upon their lives. The challenge is to develop the disciplines necessary to maintain a thankful obedient life while glorifying God for who He is and what He has done! So, follow Israel‘s example. Every time you get from God, you should give “first fruits” back to Him, go live a thankful godly life, & glorify God before all men.
~Mike