No fine print

For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. —Deuteronomy 30:11

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Missy Sullivan noted that many user agreements, warranties, and disclaimers that come with products are nearly unreadable. Intentionally set in very small type, they actually discourage people from understanding them. Because of this, many people don’t read all the terms of contracts before signing them. A university professor of graphic communication pointed to a 32-page user agreement that came with his new smartphone, and said of the company, “They don’t want you to read it.”

In contrast, the Lord is always seeking to communicate with His people in clear and compelling ways, with no attempt to confuse or deceive. When Moses spoke to the Israelites just before they entered the Promised Land, he said, “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. . . . I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deut. 30:11,19).

The Lord wants us to understand His plan and purpose clearly, so that we may love, obey, and cling to Him — for He is our “life and the length of [our] days” (v.20). That’s plain to see.

                         — David McCasland

Father, we want to learn and experience more of who You are

in our relationship with You.

Teach us so that we will grow in

our understanding of You and Your plan

for our lives.

READ: Deuteronomy 30:11-20 

There is no fine print in God’s

communication with us.

The Bible in one year:

• Judges 11-12; Luke 6:1-26