It’s Going to Cost More Than You Think…

Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 27:9-10, “9 And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God.

10 Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day.”

The Cost of obedience

This book was written at the end of the 40 years the children of Isreal wandered the wilderness. Most of the people who originally received the law passed away, now there is a new generation who did not receive the law firsthand. God wanted moses to give/read them the law anew.

The people who are now poised to enter the promised land arenot the same people who first left Egypt (they do not have the deep ties to Egypt or have that slave mindset. But they also do not have the mental capacity to possess the promise). God is faithful and his word is true. What he promised he will perform. You may not physically touch it yourself, but your seed will. Sometimes the promise is not for you but for your seed. It is because of your faithfulness and obedience that your lineage is blessed.

The altar (built strictly to the specifications God gave through Moses) is functional on many levels. It is where offerings are made. It serves as a monument of remembrance to keep the commandments, and the journey God so wondrously brought them through. It is proof that God keeps his word – always.

Moses tells the people – “This day thou are become the people of God”. This is their notice that the journey in the wilderness accomplished what was needed, now it is time to move to the next level. Crossing over Jordan and entering into the promised land was a demarcation – a transition from the old (or former person, level, or faith) to the next.

Moses then tells the people – “Thou shalt therefore OBEY the voice of the Lord thy God, and DO his commandments and his statutes…”

Commandments and Statutes – The difference

Commandments are direct foundational moral charges (like the 10 commandments), while Statutes are the specific often ritualistic or civil rules. They are boundaries and decrees detailing how to keep the broader commandments covering festivals, offerings, or social conduct.

Commandments are General, fundamental divine orders or charges to be obeyed. The nature of a commandment is broad foundational moral principles.

Example: The commandment (or general rule) “Keep the Sabbath holy” Exodus 20:8. The statutes are the specific regulation: “You shall not do any work on the Sabbath” Exodus 20:10.

Statutes provides the practical application and boundaries for fulfilling the core commandment.

Obedience is the hallmark of the Children of God

Biblical obedience is actively listening to and submitting to God’s commands out of love, trust, and reverence. It is not just following rules, but aligning your will, actions, and heart with His purpose.

It is joyful, willful yielding to God’s instruction, reflecting a deep dependence on Him.

The entrance to this next level required a new level of obedience they did not previously have.

This transition pulled them together and made them a people – The people of God!

The Symbolism of Crossing Jordan

When you cross THIS JORDAN, you will never be the same!

Crossing Jordan represents several things:

1. Transition & New Beginning: Moving from a past state to a new promised future.

2. Freedom & Deliverance:  Signifying freedom from bondage and adversity, a breakthrough after a long journey.

3. Divine Presence & Power: Miracles at the Jordan affirm God’s active presence and faithfulness.

4. Spiritual Warfare: Represents overcoming internal or external obstacles to claim God’s promises.

Symbolism with Baptism:

Baptism buries our former life and sins in the water in the Name of Jesus. As we arise out of the water we are to walk in the newness of life. Jordan provided water as the children of God came out of the waters of Jordan their former life was dead (Egypt and everything attached to it – mindset, raiment, and former behaviors). Their new life was to be governed by the commandments and statutes of God.

God if faithful – the children could not receive (embrace) the word of God while they were still under the law of the former. They needed to be released of that before they could accessGod’s will. 

But being released does not mean you are yet free. You still must overcome the hidden things that come with being in captivity. It took the children 40 years to work their way through. 

What is Your Jordan?

What is God transition you through? We are all dealing with something. We have things on the altar that we have been seeking God for.

We are in a place of transition. Pulling away from the old former things and preparing to embrace the new. We are moving from 1 level to the next. But this next level is like nothing we have ever seen or been through before. It is going to require personal responsibility and perseverance. We are going to have to fight this flesh at times, and people (including family) at other times.

God is faithful that He makes our “go through” not feel as challenging as it truly is. Because of His grace and mercy and the divine blessings and favor of God.

 The True Cost of Obedience

What is the cost of obedience? The true cost of obedience involves:

1 Radical self-denial,

2 Sacrifice,

3 And surrendering your whole self to God.

This often led to persecution, loss of comfort, broken relationships, and challenging worldly expectations.

Examples: Jesus obeying to death on the cross

Abraham when he left home he knew for the unknown, but following the leading    of God.

It means aligning your will with God’s. Prioritizing Him above personal desires, reputation, and earthly security. Recognizing that this costly discipleship ultimately transforms your file for God’s purposes, even when it upsets others.

Key Aspects of the Cost of Obedience

1. Self-Denial & Sacrifice: following Jesus means denying yourself, taking up your cross and follow me – Matthew 16:24.

2. Persecution & Suffering: Godly living in Christ often invites opposition, suffering, and ridicule from a world that doesn’t understand.

3. Loss of earthly comfort: Obedience might mean giving up security, reputation, friends, or even family harmony (Matthew 19:21).

4. Upsetting the plans of others: Obeying God might disruptthe plans or expectation of non-believers.

5. Cost to your will & agenda: It costs your pride, selfhood, personal rights, and independent agenda. Requiring submission to God’s larger purpose.

Now that we understand the key aspects of the cost of obedience, let’s look at the reason…

The Purpose of the cost?

1. Love for God: True obedience flows from loving God fully (Matthew 22:27-40).

2. Worship & logic: It is a logical response to God’s love, desiring closeness to Him, not distance.

3. Transformation: it leads to being “light and salt” that God called us to be. A transformed life reflecting God’s character.

 What is your Jordan?

The children had to break free from the traditions and residue of bondage they carried from Egypt. 

Everything that happened during bondage was not bad and the information and knowledge they gained was multifaceted. It was sufficient to help govern life.

We all take something out of our Jordan. In fact, the command was to take whole stones and build and altar to God. These stones came from the riverbank coming out of Jordan and from the land. On these stones they were to write all the words of the Law Moses gave.

When we are delivered from our personal Jordans we also need to build a monument to God. We need to remember the Goodness of God, his faithful delivering and sustaining power that kept us in the fire.

*Today we are preparing to cross over Jordan

**Today we must settle in our hearts to walk in obedience to the commandments and statutes of God.

***We must recognize that obedience opens the door to receive the blessings of Deuteronomy 28. These blessings shall come upon you and overtake you. But this requires us to hear the voice of the Lord.

****We must recognize there is a penalty of disobedience and the curse that accompanies it (Deuteronomy 28:45).

The reuse cost of obedience is worth it all.

Self reflection time … examine yourself: if you see where you are lacking in obedience today is a perfect day to repent and get it right.

Have a blessed day OTP family!