And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day.
Deuteronomy 6:24 (ESV)
In this passage, Moses told Israel that the Lord had given them commandments to obey and called on them to fear or revere him for two reasons.
The first was that it was for their good. God was not just being bossy and trying to take the fun out of life by giving them all these commands. These commands were designed to make their life better. Obeying them would lead to their best possible life as individuals and a nation.
The purpose of some of the commands God gave through Moses is unknown to us today. But, in general, those commands helped Israel live in a right relationship with God and within a community, live healthier lives, and better care for their land and animals.
The second reason was that God would preserve them alive. They would not have to worry about enemies or other dangers that they might face–God would protect them.
The same is true for me. I do not live under the law given through Moses, although its guiding principles still have value for me. And those principles are summed up in the commands to love God with all I am, and to love others as myself (Matt. 22:40).
There is no guarantee that if I love God and others as I should, life will be easy. It may indeed be even harder. But, as Moses told Israel, my life will be blessed when I obey. And God will preserve my life forever.
