Competing Hearts
Read This Week: Deuteronomy 7
The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you. – Deuteronomy 7:7-8 NIV
Deuteronomy 7 is challenging because it confronts us with God’s holiness and the seriousness of idolatry. Israel was about to enter the Promised Land, and God commanded them not to make covenants with the nations living there or adopt their gods and practices. The chapter’s central message remains deeply relevant today: God’s people cannot faithfully belong to Him while continuing to make peace with idols that compete for their hearts.
The command to separate from the nations was not rooted in Israel being morally superior. In fact, Moses makes that clear: The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples (v.7). God chose Israel because He loved them and because He was faithful to His covenant. That is an important foundation for understanding obedience. Biblical holiness is not an attempt to earn God’s love; it is a response to having already been loved by God. We do not obey so that God will choose us. We obey because, in Christ, we have been graciously chosen and loved.
That distinction matters in everyday life. When our relationship with God becomes primarily about performance, obedience quickly becomes exhausting and prideful. But when we understand that God’s grace comes first, obedience becomes an expression of gratitude. We can say no to sin not because we are trying to prove ourselves worthy, but because we belong to Someone better. The Christian life is not merely about avoiding bad things; it is about refusing to give our deepest loyalty to anything less than God.
This is why Moses repeatedly warns Israel about idols. Idolatry is more than bowing before a statue. An idol is anything we trust, love, fear, or pursue as though it can give us what only God can provide. Money can become an idol. Success can become an idol. Approval, comfort, relationships, political identity, achievement, or even family can occupy a place in our hearts that belongs to the Lord alone. The danger is that idols rarely announce themselves as idols. They often begin as good things that quietly become ultimate things.
This convicting section also gives us a beautiful picture of God’s character. Moses says that God is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations (v. 9). His commands are not the arbitrary demands of a distant ruler. They come from a covenant-keeping, merciful God who knows what will destroy His people and what will lead them toward life. Sometimes Father God’s “no” expresses His love. We may not understand every command immediately, but we can trust the character of the One who gives it.
Perhaps the most practical question this chapter raises is: What am I allowing to compete with God for my heart? We should regularly examine what occupies our thoughts, controls our decisions, determines our sense of worth, and consumes our time, energy, and resources. Whatever we cannot imagine surrendering may reveal where our true commitment lies.
The answer is not greater human or mental willpower. Israel’s story shows that God’s people need His faithfulness. The Bible ultimately points us toward a God who keeps His promises despite the weakness of His people. For us as Christians, that faithfulness finds its fullest expression in Jesus Christ, through whom God establishes the new covenant and calls us to Himself. We are secure not because we have perfectly maintained our devotion, but because God is perfectly faithful.
So this week in Deuteronomy calls us to two things at once: take holiness seriously and take God’s love seriously. Tear down the idols, guard your heart, refuse compromises that slowly pull you away from Him, but do all of this from the confidence that a faithful Savior loves you. The goal is not a life emptied of everything enjoyable; it is a non-competing heart and a life reordered around the One who is worthy of everything.
SUNDAY PODCAST
This Week with God: Deuteronomy 7
The Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/20260830message.wav
Worship Songs:
Faithful Now
Rescue
Do you think it is the little things that matter, or are they the big moments and big statements? I think they are both good.
When I was younger and busy working all the time, I tried to create what I called “power moments” for my wife and kids. Whenever I had some time off, I would plan something big—maybe a trip to the beach, a surprise present, or taking everyone go-karting. I wanted to create moments they would remember.
Those power moments mattered. They gave us memories we can still look back on and say, “Remember when we did this?” or “Remember when we went there?”
But as I have gone through life, I have realized that we experience far more little moments than big ones. In many ways, those little things can become even more meaningful because there is something so good about knowing and being known.
My wife takes care of so many little things for me, and of course, I try to do the same for her. Those little things say, “I see you. I know you. I know what matters to you.”
It is the same way with the Lord. When He reaches into my life and does some little thing that shows how well He knows me, it means so much. It may not look important to anyone else, but it is important to me because it reminds me that I am known by Him. The same thing happens when my wife or someone else does something small and personal. It is amazing what those moments can mean.
Most of the successes in my life have come through a process with God. That has been true in ministry, business, and relationships. Usually, God has led me one step at a time. One step may not seem very significant when you are taking it, but step by step, He builds something that becomes great and deeply meaningful.
I am learning to cherish the little things and remember them. The big power moments are good, but the little things show us that we are truly known. And when we keep taking those small steps with God, little by little, they eventually become something very big.
1. Remove What Turns Your Heart Away
God commanded Israel to remove the people, relationships, altars, images, and influences that would lead them away from Him and into idolatry.
What we refuse to remove today may control us tomorrow.
2. Remember Why God Chose You
God did not choose Israel because they were large, powerful, or deserving. He chose them because He loved them. Their obedience was their response to already being loved, chosen, and redeemed.
We do not obey God to earn His love; we obey because He has already loved us.
3. Trust God With Little-by-Little Victory
Israel was not to fear the nations that appeared stronger than they were. They were to remember what God had already done and trust that the great and awesome God was still among them.
Little by little is still victory when God is leading.
Deuteronomy 6 — Love the Lord With All Your Heart
As I read Deuteronomy 6, what keeps touching my heart is how much Father God desires a real relationship with us.
Moses was preparing the people to enter the Promised Land. After everything God had done for them—bringing them out of Egypt, providing for them in the wilderness, protecting them, and staying with them—Moses reminded them of what mattered most.
Love God with your whole heart and don’t forget Him.
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 AMP says:
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one [the only God]! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being].”
I love that it begins with the word HEAR.
The Hebrew word is Shema. It means more than hearing words. It means to listen, take them to heart, respond, and obey.
Hear Him. Learn from Him. Live what He teaches you.
Father God doesn’t just want us to know about Him. He wants us to know Him.
We can go to church, read our Bible, and know Scripture, but God wants His Word to become part of the way we live.
Deuteronomy 6:6 says:
“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind.”
That encourages me to ask myself:
Father God, what are You showing me today, and how can I live it?
Jesus brought us right back to this same truth.
In Mark 12:29–30, when Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He quoted Deuteronomy 6 and told us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
That tells me something.
Father God wants our heart.
He wants to be part of our everyday lives—our families, our decisions, our struggles, our conversations, and our blessings.
And Deuteronomy 6:7 reminds us to pass what we know about God to the next generation.
Tell your children and grandchildren what Father God has done for you.
Tell your stories.
Tell them about the prayers He answered. Tell them how He helped you when you were afraid. Tell them what He taught you through difficult seasons. Let them see what walking with Father God looks like in real life.
And then Moses gives this warning in Deuteronomy 6:12:
“Then beware that you do not forget the LORD…”
That really speaks to my heart.
I don’t want to only call on Father God when I need something. I want to walk with Him when things are hard and when things are good.
I don’t just want His help.
I want Him.
Jesus said in John 14:15 AMP:
“If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments.”
We don’t obey so God will love us. We obey because we love Him.
So as we continue our journey through Deuteronomy and CHOOSE LIFE, maybe this week we can keep it simple:
Hear Him.
Love Him.
Walk with Him.
Live what He teaches you.
Tell others what He has done.
And never forget the One who brought you this far.
Father God doesn’t just want a place on our schedule.
He wants our whole heart. ❤️
Prayer you can pray
Father God,
Thank You for loving me and walking with me. Help me to love You with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strengt.h
Write Your Word on my heart. Help me to hear You, trust You, and live what You teach me.
I don’t want to seek You only when I need something. I want to know You, love You, and walk with You every day.
Help me share Your faithfulness with the next generation and never forget all You have done.
Father God, You have my heart. Help me live like it. Thank you Father God ❤️ love you all
Deuteronomy 7 Verse 6-7
6. For you are a holy and set apart people to the Lord. Your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a special people to Himself out of all the peoples on the face of the Earth.
7. The Lord did not set His love upon you and choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the fewest of all people.
God Is Saying To Me:
You are my prized possession. You belong to Me and your holiness comes from My love and mercy for you not from what you can do for the world or what the world can do for you. Everything you are and have comes from Me!
My Story
This week has been challenging in the fact that I know Father God loves me and doesn’t want bad things to occur in my life but I woke up on Tuesday morning and there had been some fraudulent activity on my checking account. Kohl’s, a reputable retailer had submitted extra charges for two items that had already been previously paid. Of course this was alarming and I immediately contact the bank. The banker tells me that they rejected the charges submitted because they the retailer had put in an incorrect expiration date and 3 digit code but when I looked at my bank account they paid the recent submission. They did not deny it. I was even more confused and asked to speak to a fraud investigator within the banking system. This banker launches an investigation that is still pending even at this point that I’m writing this story. They provisionally returned two charges back to my account but it is still under investigation. Kohl’s also refunded the price of the two items back to my account as well. I’m not sure as to the reason that Kohl’s refunded the amount because I still have the items.
I felt overwhelmed and helpless so I cried out to God. Father God told me it would be okay. That He loved me and to trust the process of the restoration to my account. Father God filled me with His peace and confidence that everything would get worked out in the end. Years ago I would have run to the bank and taken out all of the extra money but when God spoke to me He told me to just leave the account as it stands at the moment because I don’t know what the banking institution will do in terms of a final restoration deposit. Today I must listen to God’s voice and take to heart His guidance and be obedient to His responses. When I follow God’s ways and will, my life has hope, clarity, peace and confidence that all will work out the way it’s supposed to work out. God is good and I love giving Father God the desires of my heart and waiting patiently for His answers. Thank you God for always loving me, providing for me and helping me grow more and more to be like You. I love you Lord, Jesus and the Holy Spirit! ❤️
CHOSEN BY A FAITHFUL GOD
Choose Life — Deuteronomy 7
When we come to Deuteronomy 7, I want us to see two beautiful truths about Father God:
He chose them.
And He was faithful to them.
Israel was getting ready to enter the Promised Land. They were going to face people and situations bigger than they were. But before they went forward, Father God reminded them who they were and who He was.
“For you are a holy people [set apart] to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you…”
— Deuteronomy 7:6 AMP
Then He says something beautiful:
“The LORD did not love you and choose you because you were greater in number than any of the other peoples…”
— Deuteronomy 7:7 AMP
And verse 8 tells us:
“But because the LORD loves you…”
— Deuteronomy 7:8 AMP
Think about that.
They weren’t chosen because they were the biggest or strongest. They weren’t chosen because they had earned God’s love.
He chose them because He loved them.
And that speaks to us today.
Our value to Father God isn’t based on how much we accomplish or how much we can do for Him.
We are loved by Father God.
JESUS SAID, “I CHOSE YOU”
Jesus tells His disciples something that connects beautifully with Deuteronomy 7:
“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit…”
— John 15:16 AMP
Purposefully planted.
There is still fruit for our lives to bear. There are people we can encourage, prayers we can pray, and people who need to hear what Father God has done in our lives.
Our story isn’t finished.
THE FAITHFUL GOD
Then Deuteronomy 7 tells us something we need to remember when life gets hard:
“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God…”
— Deuteronomy 7:9 AMP
He is the faithful God.
Has everything been easy? No. Have all our prayers been answered exactly the way we wanted? Probably not. Are there things we still don’t understand? Yes.
But through all of it, Father God has remained faithful.
We can look back and say:
“Father God carried me through that.”
“He gave me strength.”
“He provided.”
“He protected me.”
“He didn’t leave me.”
When something difficult is in front of us, we can look behind us and remember:
The God who was faithful then is still faithful now.
IF HE IS FAITHFUL, LET US BE FAITHFUL
And this is where Choose Life comes into Deuteronomy 7.
Father God chose Israel, loved them, and remained faithful to them. Now they had a choice about how they would live.
And we do too.
Every day we are making choices.
Will I trust Father God?
Will I follow Him when I don’t understand?
Will I obey His Word?
Will I keep praying when I haven’t seen the answer?
Will I keep loving people? And speak truth in love when He asks us too. To help them!
Will I keep sharing Jesus?
Will I remain faithful?
Choosing life is choosing to walk with Father God—not just when life is easy or when prayers are answered quickly, but because we know the One we are following is faithful.
JESUS SHOWED US FAITHFULNESS
Jesus didn’t simply tell us to be faithful. He showed us.
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.”
— John 6:38 AMP
Jesus stayed faithful to the Father even when obedience became difficult, even when people rejected Him, and even when the road led to the cross.
Jesus continued to say through the way He lived:
“Father, I choose Your will.”
And because Jesus remained faithful, we have salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life through Him.
Ultimately, our life is found in Jesus.
WHAT ABOUT US?
Maybe this is the question for us this week:
What does faithfulness look like in my life right now?
Maybe it means continuing to pray for someone. Maybe it means forgiving. Maybe it means encouraging someone or telling them what Jesus has done for you.
Maybe it means trusting Father God with something you cannot control.
Or maybe it simply means waking up and saying:
“Father God, You have been faithful to me. Today I choose to be faithful to You.”
People can disappoint us. Circumstances can change. Our plans don’t always work out.
But Father God is faithful.
So let’s choose life.
Let’s choose Jesus.
Let’s choose obedience.
Let’s choose trust.
Let’s choose to finish faithfully.
Because He chose us.
He loves us.
He has been faithful to us.
And whatever time Father God gives us, may we live it faithfully for Him.
PRAYER you can pray
Father God,
Thank You for loving us and choosing us. Thank You that You are the faithful God.
Help us remember all the ways You have carried us, provided for us, protected us, and never left us.
Because You have been faithful to us, help us to be faithful to You.
Help us choose life every day. Help us choose Your ways even when we don’t understand. Help us keep praying, loving, serving, encouraging, and telling others about Jesus.
Thank You that You have purposefully planted us and that there is still fruit for our lives to bear.
And thank You for Jesus, who showed us what it means to be faithful to You.
May we say with our lives:
“Father, I choose Your will.”
Help us live loving You, trusting You, and pointing people to Jesus.
Amen