As
Moses prepared God’s people to enter the promised land after more
than forty years in the desert, he challenged them to follow God and
choose life. “I command you today,” he said, “to love the Lord
your God, to walk in obedience to him . . . then you will
live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you.” Further,
Moses said, “Listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”
The
instructions seemed simple enough, and yet the people struggled
constantly with sin and disobedience. With rebellious attitudes and
actions they broke their promises to God generation after generation.
But
throughout all that time God remained faithful. The people couldn’t
hold on to him, but God held on to them. And eventually he sent his
own Son to become one of them, a child of Israel, a son of Abraham.
He would live without sin, and he would shepherd the people to live
by God’s Word.
When
Jesus came, he taught and healed people, and he showed that he is the
faithful shepherd for all who will listen. “My sheep listen to my
voice,” he said. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never
perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28).
Do
you hear his voice? Listen to him. He loves you and will never let
you go.