(singing) a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,I,j,k,l,m,n, O, P... (singing)
"O" BEFORE "P"
No I’m not giving an alphabet lesson lol. This is just a funny little way the Lord drove the following point home to me, so I wanted to share!
Now, throughout my church days I’ve heard parts of Deuteronomy 28 quoted ALL THE TIME!
"We shall be the head and not the tail"
"the lender not the borrower"
"above and not beneath"
There’s even a song (which I like):
We’re blessed in the city. We’re blessed in the field. We’re blessed when we come and when we go... (Did you sing it in your head too? )
But what I don’t hear very often if ever, is the rest of that chapter. Every blessing of prosperity promised to God’s people hinged on OBEDIENCE first.
Obedience BEFORE Prosperity... "O" BEFORE "P"
Don’t believe me? Let’s look:
““Now it shall come to pass, IF you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:
“The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, IF you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.
And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, IF you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. So you SHALL NOT turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.”
Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 9, 13-14 NKJV
There’s also the whole other half of Deuteronomy 28 that talks about the results of disobedience that very few talk about, and it is just as long as the first half.
The Lord is not a tyrant, but he’s not foolish either. He knows if He gives us blessings with no conditions, we will treat Him as a genie of sorts. Summoning Him when we want something then immediately dismissing Him. Or using His word as a magic wand to get what we want but no real commitment to Him. He gives us a choice. We are either completely with Him or we’re not. Our fruit will reflect our choice. Choose ye this day...