God's Word

Deuteronomy 11:18-21New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land that the Lord swore to your ancestors to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.

What is it that reminds you of God's word?

What is it that reminds you of God's Word?

This passage always calls to my mind the Jewish mezuzah: the piece of parchment attached to many doors of Jewish homes.  On it is the Shema, the prayer that begins with the words: "Hear of Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one." Words that are commanded in Deuteronomy 6:9 to be inscribed on the doorposts of the home.

And it makes me wonder where we inscribe God's word?

Where do we remind ourself that our God is Lord?

That our God is one?

Where do the words come back to remind us over and over until they are bound to our hearts, souls, and minds?

How do we teach them to our children?

How to we keep them with us always?

There are places in the world where God's word is so precious that people die for it. We have the luxury of that not being the case for us.

What is it that makes it so precious do you think that some would write it on their doorposts?

Or inscribe in on their hearts?

Or die for it?

Lord God, your word is good. Bind it on my heart and in my soul and in my mind. Amen.