What Does God Require of You? Walk in All His Ways and Love Him


“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?”   Deuteronomy 10:12, 13

 My father, the farmer, loved me unconditionally.  He held me gently as a new born baby and nourished me physically and spiritually.  He instructed me in many ways by teaching me good work ethics, honesty, sharing, looking out for those less fortunate, obedience to him, obedience to the laws of our country, and to love God.  As a child, I wanted to be just like my father, because I respected him and loved him.

 My father had long legs.  When he walked across a field, he took long strides.  I followed him many times and looked at his footsteps across the fields.  I tried to match his stride and jumped to step in each footprint.  If only I had his long legs, I could walk as he did.  As I ran to keep up with my father, I had many questions, and he had many answers.  He listened to me.  He laughed at me, lovingly.  He laughed because some questions made him chuckle, but he thought them all through and gave me answers.  Honestly, as I look back, he most likely prayed over some of my questions.  My father also had a firm hand in discipline.   For me, his words of disappointment in me hurt more when I was disobedient.   I loved him and wanted to please him.  I wanted my legs to be long as his, so I could walk beside him and please him in all I did.  I wanted to walk with him and please him because I loved him.

 Our Heavenly Father wants us to “walk in all His ways and to love Him.”  All through Deuteronomy, Moses instructs the children of Israel to love God.  I know, because I read the book with the purpose of writing each verse with instructions to love God.  So, when I say many, I know because I’ve taken the time to write each in my notebook.  Deuteronomy 6:5 is quoted by Jesus in Matthew 22:37, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with your mind.”    Jesus called this the “first commandment.” (22:38)   God loves us, and He wants us to love Him.  If we let him into our hearts and lives, our heavenly Father will not only love us but nourish our spirit with his Words and tender care.  As I desired to walk in the footsteps of my earthly father, we should desire to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and live a life of service to others and God.  As we grow closer to God, our love for Him will increase each day as we feed on the scriptures and seek to do His will.

 “If from thence you shall seek the Lord your God, you will find Him, if you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

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