“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.” Deuteronomy 30:11-14

Many people have concluded that God’s demands are beyond our reach. No matter how hard we try to please Him, we ultimately always fail. From the perspective of human effort, that is correct: we cannot on our own please Him. But, the point of these verses is that the potential to do so through faith is indeed possible. Notice how Paul framed these verses:

“For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:5-9.

Years ago I heard it simply stated that there are two fundamental approaches to trying to live a life pleasing to God: the self-improvement plan, and the supernatural plan. The self-improvement plan is that of rolling up our sleeves and trying harder, which will always lead to failure. The supernatural plan is the life of faith, enabled by the internal Holy Spirit of God. That really is the essence of “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.” God’s truth has been placed within us that we might respond and obey its prompting.

The life of faith is hearing and knowing the word of truth, and allowing it to be our conscience. That word is embodied in Christ, who resides within through the Spirit (John 14:18). Loosely paraphrasing the verses from Deuteronomy and Romans, we need not look high and low, far and wide for truth and righteousness; look within, listen, and confess the lordship and resurrection of Jesus.

A desire to please our Father is an excellent beginning. Seeking to do so by human effort will result in frustration and failure. Pursuing the life of faith through the Spirit will be enriching in every way, and ultimately pleasing to our Father through Christ.

Be sure to also see Amazon ebook & print devotional and podcast: New Day Dawning.