“And now, Israel, what does the L-RD your God require of you, but to fear the L-RD your G- D, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the L-RD your G- D with all your heart and with all your soul.”

The word “requires” is not a command, is not something you have to do but rather the L-RD is asking, as a favor, as one who wants to borrow something. He is asking for you to love Him, He is not demanding or even expecting your love, He is just asking. He asks for our love that He may show us His love in return. He asks for us to serve Him that we may
experience the joy that comes with service to Him.

If I want to leave my house, I must first unlock the door, that is “required”. I don’t have to unlock the door, I don’t have to go out; but if I want to go out, unlocking the door is “required”.

I don’t have to fear the L-RD, walk in all His ways, serve Him or even love Him; but if I want a relationship with Him, if I want to know Him, if I want call Him Father; it is required that I get up, take my first step, towards Him and unlock the door to a life of fellowship with the G-D of all creation, who longs to have a Father – son, Father – daughter relationship with each one of us. Don’t you want to walk in the cool of the evening with Him? He wants to walk with you, and if you listen real carefully you will hear that still small voice call… “Where are you?”