Complete Saturation

Summer break was always a hit with my kids when they were younger. It meant they could sleep in and enjoy a lot more freedom, but not before finishing their summer school assignments. My daughter, being the early bird, would tackle her work first thing in the morning and reward herself with cartoons and breakfast. Her brothers, on the other hand, procrastinated which resulted in watching their shows during lunch. As a parent, I recognized the importance of keeping their minds engaged throughout the summer. I couldn't let them take a complete break from thinking, or they'd risk forgetting everything they had learned the previous school year. It was crucial to find ways to keep their minds sharp, even during their time off. The last thing I wanted was for them to start the new school year feeling rusty and struggling to get back into the swing of things. or even worse, forgetting what they had learned all together.

As we look at how God interacted with the Israelites, we see a pattern like how I dealt with my children during their summer break. God consistently reminded His people to listen, obey, and remember all that He had done for them. Yet, just like my kids who would forget what they learned in school, the Israelites often forgot about God's goodness and provision.

In what we now refer to as the Shema, Moses passionately urged the Israelites to keep God's commands at the forefront of their lives:

” Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NIV)

As the Israelites stood on the brink of entering the Promised Land, Moses knew he wouldn't be joining them. Instead, he took the opportunity to remind them not only of God's commandments but also of the depth of God's love for them. Moses understood that if they didn't make studying and teaching God's Word a top priority within their families, it would quickly fade from their hearts and minds, much like how my children forgot what they learned in school when they did not keep their minds engaged during summer break.

The Israelites were about to step into a land they hadn't cultivated themselves, a land filled with unfamiliar customs and pagan gods. If they failed to consistently read and teach God's Word, they risked forgetting Him altogether and turning to worship idols, just as they had done with the golden calf. This should sound all too familiar to us today. When we neglect to immerse ourselves in God's Word regularly, we start to forget all that He has done for us. We lose sight of the miracles He's performed and the ways He's been there for us in the past.

It's easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and let our devotion to God's Word slip down our list of priorities. But just like Moses urged the Israelites, we must make a conscious effort to keep God's truth at the forefront of our lives and the lives of our families. By consistently reading, studying, and sharing His Word, we can safeguard our hearts against the temptation to wander and ensure that we never forget the incredible love and faithfulness of our God. In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to let our devotion to God slip into the background. We can become so caught up in our daily routines that we forget to prioritize our relationship with Him. That's why Moses' words in the Shema are just as relevant now as they were then. By making a conscious effort to keep God's Word in our hearts, on our minds, and on our lips, we can strengthen our faith and ensure that we're passing on a godly legacy to our children and loved ones.

God will transform your entire life, relationships, and legacy when you whole-heartedly love Him alone, diligently obey His commands, and intentionally instill this singular devotion in generations to come.

If everyone took Moses' words to heart and applied the principles found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, the impact on our lives, families, and communities would be transformative. Imagine a world where loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength was not just a Sunday morning sentiment, but a daily reality. A world where God's Word was woven into the fabric of our lives, informing our thoughts, guiding our actions, and shaping our relationships. If everyone made a commitment to keep God's commandments at the forefront of their hearts and minds, we would see a profound shift in our priorities and perspectives. We would see a shift in politics, social media, and even the stock market. Businesses would handle how they operate differently. People would think of others before themselves. Humankind would be servants instead of thinking of themselves first. In our homes, families would be strengthened as parents took on the responsibility of teaching their children about God's love and truth. By impressing God's Word on their hearts and making it a regular topic of conversation, children would grow up with a deep understanding of their faith and a strong foundation for navigating life's challenges. As individuals, we would experience a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing that we are living in alignment with God's will. Our love for God would overflow into our interactions with others, fostering a spirit of compassion, kindness, and unity. We would be better equipped to face trials and temptations, having hidden God's Word in our hearts as a source of wisdom and strength.

In our communities, the impact would be profound. As more and more people committed to living out their faith, we would see a decrease in social ills such as crime, hatred, and injustice. Instead, there would be an increase in acts of service, generosity, and love. The church would flourish as believers came together to worship, grow, and serve, united in their devotion to God.

Of course, we live in a fallen world, and not everyone will choose to follow God's commands. But imagine the powerful witness it would be if those who profess faith in Christ truly lived out the principles found in the Shema. By doing so, we would shine as lights in the darkness, drawing others to the love and truth of God.

So, let us take Moses' words to heart and commit to making God's Word a central part of our lives. Let us love Him with all our being and share that love with those around us. As we do, we can trust that God will use our faithfulness to bring about transformation in our own lives and in the world around us. It all starts with a simple choice to listen, obey, and remember all that God has done for us.