From the moment they could crawl I began teaching my children to come to me when I called. Gently training them to respond to my voice was an assurance against future danger.
I would call their names with a sing-songy voice and when they reached me they would be met with big hugs and kisses. They knew Mama loved them, and that coming to me was a happy choice!
As they grew and became increasingly mobile, we usually hit a point in toddlerhood, most often in a public place (why oh why?), when they had to face the consequences of not coming when Mama called. The playground at the park seemed to be a common setting. I always let them know well beforehand that we would have to leave, but when the time came, every once in a while one of my toddlers would run in the opposite direction.
The short-sightedness of a toddler running away from his mother in a park is obvious. Stay in an exposed location with no source of food and water, or go with the person who loves you the most and takes care of your every need? It is a silly thing to even contemplate, but isn’t that the sort of choice you and I face every day?
How many times do we turn and look toward things other than our heavenly Father to fulfill our needs? The playground of the material world is filled with bright, shiny objects luring us to a place of no shelter, and away from the source of everything: the Lord God.
Deuteronomy 30:17 is the beginning of another if/then pair. Last week we looked at the results of obedience. This week we begin to look at the results of disobedience.
“But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them,” – Deuteronomy 30:17
What are the “other gods” in your life?
Download and print the study guide for Deuteronomy 30:17. We’d love to have you join the discussion in our community group as we dig deeper into this verse this week.
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