Remember, Know, Obey — Know that the Lord is God

In Deuteronomy 4:32-40, Moses provides Israel with a pattern for following God that remains applicable to us today: Remember. Know. Obey. This guidance is still relevant to the way we live today. Let's look at the second part of the pattern today.

(Part 1: The Power of Remembrance)

The second aspect of following God that Moses taught in this passage is this:

"Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other". Deuteronomy 4:39.

After reminding them to remember the great things God had done, Moses told the people to know that only the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has all authority in heaven and on earth.

We’re not called to know who God is on an intellectual level only. We are called to something deeper: The eternal truth of who God is should become part of who we are.

In the Bible, the heart signifies the inner part of us. It includes our mind, will, heart, soul, and understanding. The word translated as lay means to turn back or return. In this verse, it implies returning to the belief of who God is so that it becomes and remains established or settled (hence "lay") in our core. This level of knowing changes how we perceive God, ourselves, and our world. Our actions correspond with how we see and understand things, so what we know of God inevitably leads to a change in our behaviour.

That 'the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth beneath; there is no other' is a foundational truth the Israelites were to continually come back to. It was to be their core identity. Moses instructed them to be assured of God's identity, so that it would change theirs. As Christians, we know that Jesus is both God and Lord (Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 28:18; John 10:30; Acts 2:36).

There are lots of things we can do to 'lay it to our hearts that the Lord is God'. One simple but effective way is to meditate on Scripture about who God is. To meditate on Scripture means to think about it, mutter it with our mouths, and reflect on it. When we ponder on Scriptures that tell us who God is it helps establish God's truth within us.

When are we to do this? Moses said, "today". Don't wait until you need to believe God for something to convince yourself about His authority and Lordship. Don't wait until you are tempted to put your trust elsewhere to remind yourself that "there is no other". Study the Word, meditate on it, and lay it to your heart, today.

 

>>> Reflection: Has the truth of who God is moved from your head to your heart? 

Write the Scriptures

Take time each day to meditate on and write one of these verses. Expect God’s Word to renew your mind as you engage with it slowly and prayerfully.

Know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. (Deuteronomy 4:39)

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, (Deuteronomy 7:9)

"There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God." (1 Samuel 2:2)

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10)

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. (Philippians 3:8-9)

Blessing in Action: Remember, Know, Obey — Know that the Lord is God

➡️This week, meditate on Deuteronomy 4:39 daily. Ask God to move the truth of who He is from your head to your heart.

➡️Share one truth about God’s character with someone in conversation this week.