When I was younger, I used to think that success was dependent upon talent, or skill, or wealth, or connectedness. I thought those who were successful merely had the right stuff and/or were in the right place at the right time.
There’s no doubt that these things are helpful, but the older I get, the more I’ve come to believe that success is much more about being persistent and consistent. Persistence and consistency are the two inseparable keys to success…both temporally and spiritually. In his book by the same name, Eugene Peterson called it “a long obedience in the same direction.”
Persistence is an unwavering internal attitude, where as consistency is unwavering external action.
In a sense, this is what Moses is stressing in Deuteronomy chapter 10…persistence and consistency. He begins the chapter by relating God’s persistent attitude of love and compassion toward His children. He goes on to talk about God’s consistent acts of faithfulness and blessing toward His children. The chapter concludes with a call to God’s people to be equally persistent and consistent in their relationship with God.
Moses summarizes God’s requirement for His people in verses 12-13 of Deuteronomy chapter 10. There, Moses tells the people that it boils down to being persistent in their awe of God and consistent in their obedience to God.
The requirements are the same for you and I today. God calls us to be persistent in our awe of Him and consistent in our obedience to Him. May God help us to continue in that kind of persistence and consistence.
Which one do you have the most trouble with…persistent awe or consistent obedience? Make that a point of prayer this week.
I struggle with both but consistent obedience seems to be at the forefront. I believe that if I get that together, the awe will come along.
I believe you’re right about that.