There are two types of people when it comes to gift-giving. Some people are fantastic gift-givers. They are clever, they are creative, and they come up with great gifts that the giftee always loves.
The rest of us just try our best. We puzzle over what to get our loved ones for weeks, certain that this is the year we’re going to knock it out of the park. Then, inevitably, we cave and hand over a gift card or some cash or something else hastily thrown together.
As much as I like to convince myself otherwise, I’m the second type of gift-giver. Which one are you? Which one is God?
So far in Deuteronomy, it seems like all of God’s gifts are laws, and Deuteronomy 24 serves up a fresh batch. But before you toss them into the re-gift pile, take a closer look.
God’s laws = God’s character
God’s laws have always revealed His heart.
Some laws, like the one found in verses 1-4, tell us what is evil in His eyes. They reveal the hurt, the pain, the consequences that He never wants to see in our lives.
Other laws, like the ones found in verses 7, 14, 20, point us toward what is good in His eyes. They remind us that He loves to see us both surrounded by love and respect and showing that same love and respect to others.
And then there are laws like the one found in verse 5: “If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.”
This law is almost unnecessary. It seems on its face to have no spiritual meaning behind it. It’s just nice. It’s just a sweet gesture. It’s straight up thoughtfulness.
And it speaks to the heart of the Author. It tells us that God is a God who understands our hearts. He cares about the little things. He knows how to cater to us. He wants to make us smile. He wants to give us those warm, fuzzy feelings.
Laws like this declare with a flourish that God is simple, pure, unabashed Love.
And isn’t that a wonderful gift?
“I want to love you.”
That means He will. There’s no conditions or requirements. There’s no wait time or games. God is here to love you.
He will love you in big ways and in small ways. He will love you with a beautiful sunset, a song that makes your heart skip a beat, a kind word, or a timely message from the Bible. He will love you with a recovery from illness, a financial breakthrough, a new job, or a surprising answer to prayer.
He will love you with surprises. He will love you with the basics you need to get through each day. He will love you with trials. He will love you with triumphs.
No matter what, no matter how, no matter who, God will love you. So let Him. Invite Him in. Taste and see that God is really, really good.
You’ll never be alone again.
What do you think? What do you see in God’s heart through His laws?
Delicate Pages 