Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
Deuteronomy is framed as Moses' final warnings and commandments to the people before his death. Here, towards its beginning, there are the words that lie at the heart of the Jewish faith, recited every day by observant Jews as the Shema, beginning 'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one' (verse 4, ESV). The next verse, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might,' is cited by Jesus as 'the great and first commandment' in Matthew 22.37 – a sign of how deeply immersed he was in the Hebrew Scriptures.
Moses tells the people here that the words he teaches them are to be 'on your heart' (verse 6); they are to teach them to their children and talk about them throughout the day. We might say in today's language that God's laws are to be 'internalised' – they become part of who we are and how we live, through practice, repetition and thoughtfulness.
We shouldn't underestimate the force of good habits. Some strands of Christianity major on how believers feel. Sometimes our faith makes us feel wonderful! But what keeps us faithfully believing and living out our faith is more often the discipline of prayer, churchgoing and Bible reading that shapes our minds and characters. As one of Anthony Trollope's characters says, 'It's dogged as does it.'
God, help me to keep your words in my heart. Let them shape every part of who I am, so that how I live reflects who you are.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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