I remember visiting a man in jail several years ago. He possessed many talents and was capable of accomplishing a wide range of things. One thing he couldn’t do was stay off drugs and the crimes that supported his habit.
When I sat down to talk to him, he looked at me, a bit embarrassed, and said, “I guess the only place I can be a Christian is in jail.”
He seemed to need the discipline and difficulties of prison to stay on track. While there, he prayed and read his Bible. He even led a worship team.
This man understood something that many have learned over time: it can be easier to serve God during tough times than in times of prosperity. This was the message God gave Moses to share with the Israelites.
“When the Lord your God has brought you into the land that he swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—a land with fine, large cities that you did not build,
Houses filled with all sorts of goods that you did not fill, hewn cisterns that you did not hew, vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant—and when you have eaten your fill,
Take care that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).
These cities and all the possessions in the promised land were not built by the Israelites. When they displaced the Canaanites, they took over their property.
This came with a risk: they might forget the Lord. Like the man I spoke with in jail, they needed the pressure of difficulties and hardships to maintain their full trust in God. The risk was forgetting God.
Forgetting the Lord means pushing Him to the back of our minds and believing we achieved success on our own. This mindset leads us to live independently rather than in a relationship of trust and obedience with Him.
Fully Devoted Followers
Rick Warren explains discipleship as being a fully devoted follower of the Lord. This is precisely what God wanted from His people as they prepared to enter the promised land.
“The Lord your God you shall fear, him you shall serve, and by his name alone you shall swear.
Do not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who are all around you, because the Lord your God, who is present with you, is a jealous God.
The anger of the Lord your God would be kindled against you and he would destroy you from the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 6:13-15).
This passage highlights three positives and one prohibition. The positives are to fear God, serve Him, and swear allegiance only to Him.
The prohibition is against giving loyalty and service to the surrounding gods of other people.
Warren’s idea of “fully devoted followers of Jesus” encapsulates what it means to fulfill the fear of the Lord, serve Him, and be completely loyal.
When we are fully committed to following Him, He is our Plan A, and there is no Plan B.
Reflections
Over the past few weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs have been in training camp. In just a few weeks, they’ll play their first game of the season.
One thing everyone knows about sports is that you play like you practice. Those who practice well will succeed more than those who don’t focus during practice.
This idea applies to spiritual life, too. We will struggle to follow God fully if we only try during a crisis or when facing temptation.
However, if we practice living with the Lord daily and surrendering to Him in small matters, it will be easier when tough times come.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 