Deuteronomy 8:1. All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.
Every word here seems emphatic. Like the children of Israel, we are to observe all the commandments of the Lord our God; not merely some of them, picking and choosing as we please. It is a very ill conscience, which regards some of God’s statutes, and pays no attention to the others; in fact, the very act of making a selection as to what commands we will observe is gross disobedience. "All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do." Notice that we are not only to do as we are bidden, but to do it with carefulness: "ye shall observe to do." God would not have a thoughtless, careless, blind service; but we must bow our mind and heart as well as our will to his service. Remember also that it is not sufficient to "observe" the commandments so as to note what they are, but we are to "observe to do" them. That observation which does not end in right practice is like a promising blossom upon a tree, which never knits, and which therefore produces no fruit. Further notice that, to walk in the ways of God, is for our own benefit as well as for his glory: "That ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers." There are, doubtless, many good things, which we miss because we are not careful in our walking. I am sure that the happiest life will be found to be that which is most carefully conducted upon the principles of holy obedience to God’s commands. There are certain blessings which God will not give to us while we are disobedient to him. Many a father feels that he cannot indulge his child as he would wish to indulge him when he finds the child negligent as to his father’s will. So, if we please God, God will please us; but, if we walk contrary to him, he will walk contrary to us. Let me read this most instructive verse again, that it may be further impressed upon your memories and your hearts: "All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers." To help you in obeying these commands, it is added,-
Deuteronomy 8:1. All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers.
Every word here seems emphatic. Like the children of Israel, we are to observe all the commandments of the Lord our God; not merely some of them, picking and choosing as we please. It is a very ill conscience, which regards some of God’s statutes, and pays no attention to the others; in fact, the very act of making a selection as to what commands we will observe is gross disobedience. "All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do." Notice that we are not only to do as we are bidden, but to do it with carefulness: "ye shall observe to do." God would not have a thoughtless, careless, blind service; but we must bow our mind and heart as well as our will to his service. Remember also that it is not sufficient to "observe" the commandments so as to note what they are, but we are to "observe to do" them. That observation which does not end in right practice is like a promising blossom upon a tree, which never knits, and which therefore produces no fruit. Further notice that, to walk in the ways of God, is for our own benefit as well as for his glory: "That ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers." There are, doubtless, many good things, which we miss because we are not careful in our walking. I am sure that the happiest life will be found to be that which is most carefully conducted upon the principles of holy obedience to God’s commands. There are certain blessings which God will not give to us while we are disobedient to him. Many a father feels that he cannot indulge his child as he would wish to indulge him when he finds the child negligent as to his father’s will. So, if we please God, God will please us; but, if we walk contrary to him, he will walk contrary to us. Let me read this most instructive verse again, that it may be further impressed upon your memories and your hearts: "All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers." To help you in obeying these commands, it is added,-