The Wisdom of Believers Who Choose Blessing (New Year’s Eve Service)

This passage is the scene in which Moses proclaims to the people of Israel that keeping the statutes and commandments is the shortest way to receiving blessing. God promises that when the people hear his word and obey, he will protect and bless them, and the passage emphasises that this is not an unconditional work but a protection given when we live within his word.

The sermon points out that a pastor's heart striving for the growth of church members can sometimes turn into a greedy desire to take God's place. When the sacrifice of the cross and the devotion of ministry are taken for granted and not met with thanksgiving, God instead brings rebuke and judgment. And just as those who close their hearts, like Judas Iscariot, are driven out of the place of blessing, God is not shaken by human mockery or unbelief.

So believers must lay down the feelings of judging or grieving over other people's choices, and entrust their hearts to God alone and pray. Since God blesses those who give thanks and judges those who keep their distance, we need the wisdom to cast off our own righteousness, to help wisely those who draw near to the Word, and to pray for those who stand back and watch. What God wants is not our emotional involvement, but an obedient faith that relies on God alone.