by Rev Douglas Brauner

God desires that his word is always before our eyes and in our hearts.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

This tennis ball is Ginger’s constant companion. She usually knows where to find it.

I will ask Ginger to find her ball, when I’m working in the backyard. It doesn’t take long and she locates it and brings it to me, or kind of brings it to me. She gets close, then she takes a wide berth, and waits for me to come to her. She will then reluctantly let go of it in hopes that I will throw it for her to chase. Finally, she will bring the ball into our house, almost like a comfort toy, and then promptly carry it back outside when the back door opens.

Through Moses, God commanded his people to carry the word with them wherever they went.

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” 
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 English Standard Version

God was not saying that his word was simply to be stenciled on their property and person because it looked nice. Instead, he desired that his word would always be with them. Both in the ordinary and extraordinary times of life, God’s word would be on their hearts and before their eyes. A word that would warn them. A word that would encourage them. A word that would give them hope.

Too often we plaster worldly signs in front of our eyes, and write worldly slogans on our hearts. These signs and slogans will not lead us to the mercy of God, but pull us away from his loving arms. His word gives us hope. His word encourages us. His word warns us.

May that word be always with us.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado