Testing Allegiance

If a prophet… says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.

Deuteronomy 13:1-4

The greatest commandment (according to Jesus in Mark 12) is one that the Lord God was going to test. It would be relatively easy to say ‘Yes, I love God with all my heart and soul.’ But how do you know? God is found testing His people. He is testing their obedience, their loyalty, their love. It seems clear that the test is not for God’s benefit. He knows the state of our hearts at all times. The test is for our benefit. I show us where we are in our love for God. He is the One we must follow, revere and obey! He is the One we must serve.

The prophets of today are exalting many little gods saying, ‘Let’s follow these! Let’s give our time, energy and affection (worship) to these gods." These are gods that do not deliver. They cannot save. They do not bring meaning and purpose to life. They are not able to bring vitality to my days, in fact they bring the opposite! The gods of this age steal joy from me. Is this a test? Will I obey God? Will I pursue Him? Will I love Him with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength? This is the way of worship and no other but the Lord God deserves it.

None of those condemned things shall be found in your hands, so that the LORD will turn from his fierce anger; he will show you mercy, have compassion on you… because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes.

Deuteronomy 13:17-18

I love You, Lord. May today bring evidence of that love as I serve and obey You with my whole heart. You are God and there is no other that is worthy of my worship. Thank You for Your mercy and compassion that is abundantly provided in Jesus. I yield to You again this day.