6 December Deuteronomy 26

Intimacy and obedience go hand in hand

Deuteronomy 26:17-19 (AMP) “Today you have [openly] declared the Lord to be your God, and that you will walk [that is, live each and every day] in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments (precepts), and listen to His voice. Today the Lord has declared that you are His people, His treasured possession, just as He promised you, and that you are to keep all His commandments; and that He will set you high above all the nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honour: and that you shall be a holy people [set apart and consecrated] to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken”.

Intimacy and obedience go hand in hand, and both are important for a strong, growing relationship with God. If we obey God without closeness to Him, we can become dry and go through the motions. If we have closeness without obedience, we risk being deceived by the enemy and falling into sin. In this state, we might think we are still close to God, but we could confuse our desires with His voice. This is a dangerous place for a believer to be.

The first part of the passage emphasises a public declaration where the people openly state that the Lord is their God. This is not just a matter of belief but of deep personal commitment. Walking in intimacy with God begins with declaring who He is in our lives and acknowledging His authority and relationship with us.

The verse highlights that intimacy with God involves living daily in His ways, aligning our lives with His will. The acts of obedience, keeping His statutes, commandments, judgments, and listening to His voice, are the natural outflow of a close relationship with God. Obedience is not about following rules out of obligation. Still, it’s about being so closely connected to God that His commands reflect our love and desire to honour Him.

God promises that when His people walk in His ways, they are His "treasured possession." This indicates a deep, intimate relationship where God sees us as His special people. Obedience is not just a duty but strengthens the bond of love and trust between us and God. The more we obey, the more we experience His favour and the closeness of His presence.

The passage also discusses the blessings of obedience, being set high above the nations for praise, fame, and honour. These blessings are not just for the sake of recognition; because of being obedient to God’s ways, we are set apart as a holy people. When we walk closely with God in intimacy and obedience, we reflect His glory to the world around us.

This passage teaches that intimacy with God and obedience to His commands are inseparable. Obedience flows from a heart close to God, and intimacy with God is deepened through our commitment to obey Him. Together, they create a vibrant, flourishing relationship with God, marked by blessings, favour, and a life that reflects His holiness.