In Deuteronomy 10, Moses renews the covenant between the LORD and Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The second half of the chapter outlines what God requires of them. The opening sentence sets the standard.
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, and to worship the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul?” [vs12 HCSB]
Our God never changes, so that standard applies to us as well. It is one we all work towards, yet none is able to achieve. That is why the Father sent His son. He lived that standard and when we place our faith in Him, He imparts that righteousness to us. I am so thankful for that!
But the verse that impacted my heart this morning is found right in the middle of that section. Amid all the requirements outlined, Moses reminds us of the nature of our God.
“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe.” [vs 17 HCSB]
Great! Mighty! Awesome! Showing no partiality and taking no bribe! In every country, the rich, powerful, and politically connected are favored, but the common person is not. Often the rich and famous escape punishment, not so with the poor and unknown. But that is not how God responds.
God is impartial, it means He will not bend nor ignore His holy standards for certain individuals. He saves everyone who believes in Christ Jesus. They do not have to do any good works in order to get to heaven. All are saved the same way, by grace alone, through faith alone and in Christ alone.
How can we not love and worship and serve such a God!
