Every Jewish child was to be taught that loving God above all else and keeping His commandments was primary. The “se-ma” or prayer of Israel was always: “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:4). So vital was this concept that parents were to teach it to their children at all times (Deuteronomy 6:7).
Someone once said that the apostle Paul wrote the first fifty-seven verses of chapter fifteen of 1 Corinthians so that he could pen the last one with emphasis. Though a facetious thought, the fact that even the body of the Christian will be resurrected should motivate God’s child to do his very best in service in the kingdom of Christ.
The sacrifices to God mentioned by the psalmist are the thoughts and feelings of the soul, both audibly and inaudibly. Man’s innermost being is the most precious thing ever created by God and He wants us to share our souls with Him.
The Memphis School of Preaching is blessed to have a most outstanding library and on the second floor of the beautiful building is located an archive room. One of the artifacts is the paper on which Tillit S. Teddlie wrote his famous song, “Worthy Art Thou.” The hymn comes from the verse quoted above and it is said that brother Teddlie wrote it immediately upon a reading of the passage.
Jehovah encouraged His people with a message of comfort: “Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the LORD Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other” (Deuteronomy 4:39).