God understands the power of incentive. In Leviticus 26:1-13, He promised life-changing blessings to the Israelites if they would obey Him. If they followed His guidelines, they would be expressing their trust in Him. He, in turn, would shower them with gifts of love. That arrangement marked God’s covenant relationship with His people.

Moses said of God: “He will love you and bless you, and he will give you many children. He will give fertility to your land and your animals. When you arrive in the land he swore to give your ancestors, you will have large harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and great herds of cattle, sheep, and goats” (Deuteronomy 7:13).

Israel’s reciprocal covenant relationship with God is depicted in the following words of Moses: “If you carefully obey all the commands I am giving you today, and if you love the Lord your God and serve him with all your heart and soul, then he will send the rains in their proper seasons - the early and late rains - so you can bring in your harvest of grain, new wine, and olive oil. He will give you lush pastureland for your livestock, and you yourselves will have all you want to eat” (Deuteronomy 11:13-15).

Thank God for the fact that He makes covenants with His people, despite our unfaithfulness. Thank Him for the blessings your family has received as a result of His goodness. Ask Him to give you the discipline and strength to remain faithful to Him.

Take time to reflect on these questions:

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in remaining faithful to your commitment to the Lord?

For me, it’s being consistent and finding a church to join. It sounds easy for some, yet this can be a challenge when you look at who helps you study the Lord’s word.

What are your strategies for staying faithful to your spouse?

For me, it’s listening and seeing where they are coming from.

How could you adapt some of those strategies to your relationship with God?

Consider these passages for further study on faithfulness:

Exodus 19:5-6 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation. ‘ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”

Deuteronomy 7:12-15 “If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the Lord your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love with w. As he promised with an oath to your ancestors. He will love you and bless you, and he will give you many children. He will give fertility to your land and your animals. When you arrive in the land he swore to give your ancestors, you will have large harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and great herds of cattle, sheep, and goats. You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth. None of your men or women will be childless, and all your livestock will bear young. And the Lord will protect you from all sickness. He will not let you suffer from the terrible disease you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict on all your enemies!

Jeremiah 7:23 This is what I told them: ‘Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!

Great thoughts of Gary Chapman. Be able to focus on love first and everything will come into place.