One God

 

“For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of. Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live? Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.” (Deuteronomy 4:32-35 ESV).

 

Within our reading today we find the text that is called the Shema by Jews. Shema is the Hebrew word for “Hear this!” or “Listen!” This command from Deuteronomy is at the heart of Judaism. Many Jews facing extermination in Nazi camps during World War II quoted this text as they were about to be killed. There is one God. God exists independently of this world. God made this world. God loves this world. God is the one we should love most. My question for us today is What do we love most? What do we desire most? Whatever that is will define who you are and what you do.

 

In his parting words to the people of Israel in Deuteronomy, the prophet Moses leaves no doubt about loving God most. He says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Every aspect of life must aim toward the love of God. This love then becomes our motivation and guide for all of our lives. When we love the true God, we will follow his commands with every aspect of our life. In so doing, we will free ourselves from the disappointment of serving any other thing. It is not surprising that this text is the principal command for God followers. It directs our entire life.

 

Tomorrow is the date of our national celebration of our freedom. I know that many people will be celebrating today as it is the weekend. However, we should be very cautious to understand that the very notion of being “free” is what has become the greatest divisive factor in our nation today. By declaring our personal freedom we have done great damage to our cultural and spiritual lives. There is only one solution to our dilemma. Freedom does not really come from a national declaration; it only comes from the surrender of our will and purpose to the Lord. It is only through Him that we can have true freedom. It is only through Him that we can achieve oneness of purpose and spirit!