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.