“Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear, you earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” (Deuteronomy 32:1-2)

When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, we are to learn and follow His teaching. He said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32) Through Jesus Christ, we are set free from sin and are now free to learn from and to follow Him. Following Him, we learn to live in the abundance of life that He came to give us with His abiding presence.

When Moses presented to the people of Israel his directions and concerns as they entered the Promised Land, He would begin by reminding them of God’s greatness and the refreshing of His Word. “Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” (Deuteronomy 32:1-2) Even though he knew their past of rebellion would lead them to rebel in the promised land, He would remind them one more time of the importance of following God’s teachings. When they would fail, it would be important for them in order for them to return to God and receive His forgiveness, restoration and refreshing as they come back to Him. “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)

It is also important for us today to learn and follow God’s way as He teaches us how to live life. His teaching is refreshing and life-giving for us. Isaiah would remind the people of God about His teaching. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:9-11)

God’s teaching is to be evident in our individual lives. It will flourish when it is at work refreshing lives through us as the church of Jesus Christ. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17) When we are collectively refreshed by God’s Word, we are filled with gratitude, praise, knowledge, encouragement and unity, that the world can see the difference Jesus and His teaching makes in our lives. Then we pray by God’s grace that they may come to Him and also find His refreshing and his life-giving salvation.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block