What do you declare?

Declare.

A word that means to pronounce, proclaim, assert and affirm. A word that I don’t normally use in my everyday conversations. Recently, however, as I spent time reading and reflecting on the book of Deuteronomy, I was deeply impacted by the word declare.

In chapter 26, Moses writes, “You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will obey him. And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised. (Deuteronomy 26: 17, 18a)

There is no ambiguity in the word declare. It is sure, definitive and certain; this is how it is. 

As I read those verses, written so long ago, I felt compelled to ask myself, “Do my words declare that the Lord is my God? Do my actions declare that I am walking in his ways? Is my life a true and certain declaration of my belief that the Lord is my God?

There was something about the certitude of those verses that pesters me like a fly when I’m trying to relax. I can’t seem to get the word declare out of my head and heart. I want to speak and live a life that declares the greatness and grace of God in my life. Even as I write these words, I am reminded that it’s not possible to live like that unless the Spirit of God is given the freedom to change me. Only then can I declare that the Lord is my God.

This past summer my husband and I were able to spend a week in Ocean City, New Jersey. While there we celebrated our anniversary with a walk on the beach at sunset. As we walked, the sky was beautiful with nuances of color; the sun was radiant as it set in the west; and the sound of the ocean was rhythmic and soothing. As I took the picture included in this blog, I couldn’t help but think of another declaration, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). All around us are evidences that declare the existence of God. How can we, as His children, keep silent? Should not our lives also declare the glory of God?

Declare.

Affirm.

Pronounce.

Proclaim.

Why should these words matter to our journey of faith? We declare the Lord is our God because He has declared that we are His people, His treasured possession. Our declaration comes as a result of what He has done for us; it comes as a recognition of His grace and work in our lives.

This day, declare with your mouth and your actions that the Lord is your God. Let your life be a declaration of his love in such a way that others see how He is changing and reshaping you to be more and more like Christ. 

Declare.