21 November Deuteronomy 11

Treasuring God’s Word

Deuteronomy 11:18-19 (AMP) “Therefore, you shall impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul, and tie them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead. You shall teach them [diligently] to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths], speaking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up”.

God’s word is part of everything He does, from His decisions to His creation and care for us. His word makes all His actions happen. We can't separate God from His word. Wherever God is, His word is there too; wherever His word is, God is there as well.

John Frame writes “So the word of God is a great treasure. We should rejoice that our God is not dumb, like the gods of the nations, but has shared with us his laws, his wisdom, and his love. And God is always with and in his word. When we read the Word, we encounter him; when we encounter him, we hear his word”.

If we treasure God’s word, we will encounter God. How can we treasure God’s word and thus encounter God? How do we do this? In Deuteronomy 11:18, God tells us how to keep His teachings close in our lives.

*A. "You shall impress these words of mine on your heart"*

This means believing and taking God's words to heart sincerely. It involves thinking about them, valuing them, and letting them shape your feelings, attitudes, and actions. Proverbs 3:1-3 (NIV) “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart”. Confirmed by the Psalmist in Psalm 119:11 (NIV) “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”. These verses encourage keeping God’s teachings close to the heart as a source of guidance and strength.

*B. "On your soul"*

This means making God's words part of your entire being—your thoughts, your will, and your deepest self. It's about letting His words guide not just what you think but who you are. Matthew 22:37 (NLT) “Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind’”. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV) “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” These verses express the idea of fully integrating God’s words and love into the deepest parts of our identity.

*C. "And tie them as a sign on your hand"*

This is about keeping God’s words in mind in all you do. Your hands represent your actions, so "tying" His words on your hand means letting them guide everything you choose to do in life. James 1:22 (NIV) “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says”. Conversely we read this in Ecclesiastes 9:10 (ESV) “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…” These verses connect God’s word to our actions, guiding what we do with our hands and daily lives.

*D. "They shall be as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead."*

The forehead represents our thoughts. This means keeping God's words front and centre in your thoughts so they influence your decisions and guide your path. Romans 12:2 (NLT) “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect”, confirmed by the Psalmist in Psalm 119:105 (NIV) “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path”. These verses emphasise keeping God’s word in mind, letting it shape our thoughts and guide us.

Treasuring God’s word is about making His truth a living, breathing part of who we are—guiding our hearts, souls, actions, and thoughts. When we hold God’s word close, it goes beyond memorisation or knowledge; it becomes our way of life. We are reminded to keep His teachings present, to teach them to our children, and to let them shape our daily routines and moments. This transforms us and draws us closer to God Himself.

As John Frame says, “When we read the Word, we encounter him; when we encounter him, we hear his word.” Treasuring God’s word leads us into His presence, and in His presence, we find wisdom, guidance, and strength. Let us, therefore, not only hear His word but cherish it, live it, and allow it to be the foundation of our lives. In doing so, we follow God’s commands and walk with Him daily, experiencing His closeness and purpose for our lives.