Keep: Hear

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

The religion of the ancient Israelites was remarkably different from the religions of most of the other nations in the Middle East at this time in history. Most people in the world served a variety of gods, hoping to keep the right ones happy and keep the wrong ones from being angry.

tree2_350But what could you do? You needed the favor of the gods to get good crops, to have healthy babies, and to avoid disaster. That’s what everyone believed. You had to try to keep them all satisfied.

Today’s verse became known to Israelites by a single word: “hear.” God wanted them to always remember they had just one God to serve, and he would not change his mind about right and wrong, good and evil. He was reliable, consistent, and faithful. And he still is. And he always will be.

Think: What’s the advantage of serving a single God who does not change his mind or his standards?

Pray: Thank the Lord your God that he is one.

Do: Write a quick list of some of the modern “gods” or idols that people serve today. Put a check mark next to the ones that demand the most time and attention.