Apply God's Commands

Deuteronomy 6, as the Israelites are preparing to enter the Promised Land, a bountiful land that God was giving them to process, the people are told to obey God's commands. 

The Israelites are told to obey God's commands so that they may enjoy long life and so that all may go well as they increase greatly in the land. 

The foundation for God's commands to the Israelites - and the foundation for all God's commands to us today - to know that God is the Lord of all and to love Him with all heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

And in Deuteronomy 6:6-9 God gives instruction for applying His commands to our children - and the generations to follow.

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.

Applying God's commands to the next generation is a multi-step process. 

First, we as adults, are called to apply God's commands to our own hearts. We must know God's commands for us, know why they are important for our lives, and live as they are important for our lives - with faith and obedience. Only after we have applied God's commands on our hearts can we seek to lead the next generation. 

Next, we are to impress God's commands on our children - and to the next generation. We are encouraged to impress God's commands on the next generation by talking about them, writing them out, and using symbols to commit them to memory. We are called to impress God's commands on the hearts of our children in all ways at all times, because it is vitally important. 

So, let me encourage you today to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let me encourage you to write God's commands on your heart - faithfully submitting to Him. Let me encourage you to teach them to the next generation - applying them in all ways at all times. 

That you may enjoy a long life and all may go well.