Originally posted: 08/13/2019

“But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it,” (30:14).

Consider Him Whose Word is Near

Some days it feels too difficult, as though too much effort is required to choose the right thing, to endure, to obey. Or at least that’s what the enemy wants us to believe.

The sad truth is we often buy into it, just as the Lord said the children of Israel would do. But He also promised, although they would reject His laws and suffer the consequences, He would again have compassion on them to gather and restore them to a place of abundant blessing.

“…then the Lord your God will restore you from captivity, and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you… ⁸ And you shall again obey the Lord, and observe all His commandments which I command you today. ⁹ Then the Lord your God will prosper you abundantly in all the work of your hand, in the offspring of your body and in the offspring of your cattle and in the produce of your ground, for the Lord will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers,” (30:3, 8-9 emphasis added).

But before His restoration and compassionate blessings are bestowed again, He sets a condition, which upon first glance seems an impossibility to fulfill… the big IF…

“…if you obey the Lord your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul,” (30:10 emphasis added).

Hadn’t the children of Israel already proven they were totally incapable of obedience, let alone with all their heart and soul? Yes… but then, as our attention is drawn once again to Him, He reveals exactly how this seemingly impossible IF would transpire.

The Lord Himself would accomplish it; as He Himself would fit them for obedience by His supernatural work, His work performed within their hearts.

“Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live,” (30:6).

“If you obey the Lord your God to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law… If you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul…” Suddenly the reality becomes clear; He is not asking them to do anything too difficult, for He will impart to them all that is needed to keep His commands.

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. ¹² It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ ¹³ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ ¹⁴ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it,” (30:11-14).

His commandments are not out of reach; for His Word is Near. Because of the change He performs in the hearts of His own, His Word will be treasured, spoken, and meditated upon. His Word is Near to affect change.

How do we respond to Him Whose Word is Near?

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it, (30:14).

Time for self-examination…

• Is His Word in our mouth?
  • When we spend time reading, memorizing, and talking about the Scriptures, His Word is Near in our mouth.
    • How sweet are Your words to my taste!
      Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (119:103).

• Is His Word in our heart?
  • When we spend time reading, meditating, and reflecting upon Scripture, His Word is Near in our heart.
    • O how I love Your law!
      It is my meditation all the day, (119:97).

• Is His Word affecting change in our life?
  • When His Word is Near to us, in our mouth and heart, obedience will be the outcome.
    • Your word I have treasured in my heart,
      That I may not sin against You, (Psalm 119:11).
      
    • Establish Your word to Your servant,
      As that which produces reverence for You, (Psalm 119:38).

Psalm 119 contains 176 verses describing the supernatural power and benefits of God’s Holy Word. It is an empowering chapter to cultivate holy love and desire for His Word. Lets us pray that we will grow in our dependence and faith in Him Whose Word is Near, that through His Holy Spirit, and our obedience, we would be changed.

As we strive to live out the seemingly impossible IF, to obey Him and keep all His commands, we must depend on Him Whose Word is Near to accomplish in us what only He can, to gather, restore, and bring us to abundance.

“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it,” (Isaiah 55:11).

As we trust in Him Whose Word is Near, let us choose to begin each day resolved to experience what His Word will accomplish in us; that we would walk in the prosperity and joy of His Presence again, each and every day.

You will make known to me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever, (Psalm 16:11).

Let’s Grow Together!