The Constitution of the Old Testament – Part 3

The Constitution of the Old Testament – Part 3 December 6, 2016

This is the third in a series on The Shema (Deut 6.4-9)

 וְהָי֞וּ הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֙ר אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיּ֖וֹם עַל־לְבָבֶֽךָ׃

6 And let these words which I am commanding you today be on your heart [sing].

So the answer to our problem of not being able to love God sufficiently is meditation on the Word.

First we have to go to these words of Scripture—not just these in the Pentateuch but all of Scripture—and then meditate on them (keep them on your heart).    It is actually easier than it sounds.  Simply take time each day to read and think about the Bible.  Use the Daily Office (Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer) with our ACNA Daily Office lectionary (at http://anglicanchurch.net/?/main/texts_for_common_prayer) or Mission St Clare (just Google it) to read the Word.  Then think about those words.

Then, according to this remarkable promise, God will go to work.  He will change your heart.  He will create patterns in your brain and heart–actually new neural pathways–that will transform you.  He will give you a new love for Himself.

Love is not always felt in feelings—for those are ephemeral anyway, and are not what the Bible means by “heart” in the first place.  But you will start to see changes in your life—in your thinking and perceptions and behavior and even desires.  These, when taken together, will add up to a new “love,” as the Bible refers to “love.”  You will be on the path to a new love for God—with all your heart, soul, and strength.

But then the question arises, “OK, this will take care of me.  But what about my kids?  And the next generation?”  Thus the next verse, which we will examine in the next post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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