4 Key Intentions from Moses for Today
God’s intentions are not to restrict us but to set us on a path that leads to a better life. When we align ourselves with His “factory settings,” we’re actually setting ourselves up for a life that’s more in tune with what God wants for us.
If you missed the previous blogs, Back to the Basics of What God Intended
or God’s Intentions are Generational, you can go back and read it here!
I’ve identified five key intentions that Moses shared, which I believe are also applicable to us today:
- Generational
One of the most striking things Moses emphasized was the generational aspect of God’s laws. He said, “Follow these as you possess the land so that you and your children and their children after them may fear the Lord.” Like I mentioned in the previous blog, God’s view goes way beyond our lifetime. It’s a legacy we’re building, not just for ourselves but for our children and their children.
2. Beneficial
Moses shared that God said, “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” (Deuteronomy 5:29 NKJV).
God’s command through Moses to the people going into the Promised Land was for their benefit.
God’s intention is for our benefit.
Our Intentional Living message is to bring glory to God and benefit to ourselves, and here’s a verse that reminds us it’s true – that you may live a long life, follow the decree be intentional. That’s what He’s saying. Be intentional with these things so that it may go well with you, and you enjoy long life.
When we choose to be obedient to what Scripture teaches, it benefits us.
3. Head, Heart and Hands
These commandments are important for your head, heart and hands. God’s laws are designed to engage our intellect, touch our emotions and guide our actions.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 says, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 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” (ESV).
God’s intention is for your minds, your hearts, your emotions and your habits.
4. Habits
Moses is telling the people not to drift away from God’s Word. Moses advised the Israelites to incorporate these laws into their daily routines so that they’d stay in step with God’s intentions for their lives.
Do you remember learning about Newton’s cradle when you were in school? It’s about the transfer of energy. Newton’s cradle demonstrates the conservation of momentum and the conservation of energy with swinging spheres. They are little balls that don’t move much and with every reaction there’s an opposite reaction.
If what’s going on in your life as a follower of Christ is really working and God’s blessing it, you’ve got the right kind of habits and you’re continuing to grow spiritually, repeat it. Keep doing what you’re doing that’s working. Don’t let yourself drift off into other things.
God gave us the Ten Commandments because He loves us and wants the best for us. When we get back to factory settings, living according to God’s intentions found in His Word, our lives are better. Let’s live intentionally aligned to God’s design.
If you missed the previous blogs, Back to the Basics of What God Intended
or God’s Intentions are Generational, you can go back and read it here!
