Deuteronomy 10:12-13, Micah 6:8, Hosea 6:6, Mark 12:30-31

Lucy Paculabo Mhondera

'And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?' Deuteronomy 10:12-13

What does God expect of me, how can I please Him? So often we complicate our faith trying to find things to do to please God that we bombard our life with rules and regulations of what we must do. At times we can be so frustrated and tired from trying hard to please God. But in the above verse Moses gives a summary that is simple and easy to remember.

• Fear God (have reverence for Him)


• Walk in all His ways


• Love Him


• Serve Him with all your heart and soul


• Observe His commands

What we need to do is concentrate on His real requirements and find peace by respecting, following, loving, serving and obeying Him.

Micah 6:8 says:
'And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God'.

People are constantly trying to find all kinds of ways to please God but He has made His desires clear. He wants us to be just, merciful, and to walk humbly with Him. What does that mean? Look at these areas in your life. Are you fair in your relationships with others? How are you treating people who have done you wrong? Are you being merciful or are you holding a grudge and bitterness in your heart? Are you learning humility? In your efforts to please God you need to look at these areas on a regular basis.

Hosea 6:6 says:
'For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.'

God does not want your religious traditions, He longs for your heart. If your heart is far from God then the religious acts that you carry out will seem empty and will not deepen your relationship with Him. He desires a relationship with you. In the above verse God didn't want the Israelites' rituals, he wanted their hearts. We are created to worship God and often we think of worship as just singing songs to God. However worship is so much more than that. We should worship God with our whole lives and in all that we do. Why do you worship? What is the motive behind your sacrifices, your time, and in everything you do? Is it to bring Glory and Honour to God?

Mark 12:30-31 says:
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: 'Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.'

Jesus clearly states that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love others. These are not rules to bind you but are simple principles for living. We tend to complicate the most simplest of things in life. However when you love God completely and care for others as you care for yourself, God is more than pleased, He longs for this. Let these two commandments reign in your heart, your thoughts, your decisions and your actions. As you start out the New Year, keep these verses close to your heart. When you are unsure about what to do in situations, ask yourself, what action best demonstrates your love for God and for others.