These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. (Deut. 6:6)
Expanded Passage: Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Oftentimes while driving my young grandson to school, he will begin repeating his class rules. “Do not interrupt the teacher, do not be the class clown, the bully, the victim, nor a ‘know it all.’” He continues with the positive attributes, “Be the smart one, listen to the teacher, treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Moses instructed the Children of Israel to instill God's commandments in this manner, but as with my grandson’s class, it was not enough to just memorize the rules; they had to live by them. God told them to dwell upon these commandments to the point that these rules were on their minds and hearts all the time. By living by these rules, they would be equipped to face life's challenges.
Initially for my grandson’s class, there had to be a time set aside to discuss, prioritize, and establish what rules are important for the students to observe. Today, we already know what rules to live by because Moses recorded God's commandments for us. We can just pick up the Bible and read to find these commandments. Then it is up to us to remember and to observe them.
It is no secret that life is full of daily struggles, however, with his commandments on the tip of our tongues and in reach of our fingertips, we can be prepared for each battle.
Recite the commandments daily to instill them in your heart.
Denise Moore Greene was raised in The Wesleyan Church and resides in North Carolina. She enjoys time with her husband, children, and five grandchildren.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
