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COLLECTIONS
Commentaries,
Word Studies, Devotionals, Sermons, Illustrations
Old and New Testament. |
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OUR
DAILY BREAD
Devotionals
(Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI.
Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) |
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Deuteronomy
THE POWER OF GOD'S WORD
On June 15, 1215, in the grass field of Runnymeade, one document of
sixty-three paragraphs changed the course of a whole nation. That charter
of human rights, called the Magna Carta, became the rallying point for the
British for generations to come.
God gave Israel some words on a mountaintop that were far more powerful
than those ratified in an English field two millenniums later. But
evidently Israel did not find God's words important; they lost some of
them for at least half a century. Finally, in 622 B.C., Hilkiah the high
priest found a portion of God's Word, perhaps Deuteronomy, in the temple.
He gave the sacred section to Josiah the king, and the holy words changed
the rest of Josiah's reign. The people destroyed their heathen idols and
began to worship God again.
Whenever people in biblical times read and followed God's Word, it changed
their lives. As they remembered what God had said, they moved back to the
main road. But soon their memories faded, and they once again sauntered
down side streets.
To correct mixed-up memories and homemade maps, God gave one final
Word—Jesus Christ, the fullest expression of His mind. Christ's Words and
life have become not only a precious memory and a spiritual centerpiece,
but also the only sure way to find God at the end of the road. |
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Deuteronomy
2:16-25
The First Step
There are many ways
to handle an overwhelming task. We may keep putting it off, hoping that
God will miraculously take care of it. Or we can take the first step in
the right direction.
After 40 years in the wilderness, Moses was told that it was time for the
people to take possession of the land God had promised them. The first
order of business was to decide what to do about a king named Sihon who
stood between the Israelites and the land of Canaan. God's command was,
"Begin to possess it, and engage him in battle" (Dt. 2:24). God certainly
could have eliminated Sihon without anyone's help, but He commanded His
people to take the first step.
The same is often true with us. Difficult circumstances or broken
relationships seem to defy solution. When they persist for months or
years, we may feel that nothing we do will make a difference. But the Lord
says, "Begin." We must make the first move--speak a kind word, ask
forgiveness, pay some of what we owe. We must be the initiators.
Joy lies not only in attaining some distant goal but also in walking with
our loving God, who says, "I have begun to give . . . . Begin to possess
it" (v.31).
Is there a first step you should take today? —David C. McCasland
It's easy to procrastinate
And leave good deeds undone,
But such a course will bring regrets
When life's short race is run. --Anon.
Nothing can be accomplished until we take the first step |
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Deuteronomy
3:23-29
Dying For Encouragement
In Deuteronomy 3 we
read that Moses encouraged Joshua as he was about to assume leadership of
the Israelites. No doubt Joshua was filled with fear and a feeling of
inadequacy to fill Moses' shoes. The Lord therefore told Moses to
encourage Joshua.
All of us need a word of encouragement from time to time to spur us on
when we are facing a major new challenge. But we also need words of
appreciation and commendation as we carry out our daily responsibilities,
whether at home or at work.
When a corporate accountant committed suicide, an effort was made to find
out why. The company's books were examined, but no shortage was found.
Nothing could be uncovered that gave any clue as to why he took his
life—that is, until a note was discovered. It simply said: "In 30 years I
have never had one word of encouragement. I'm fed up!"
Many people crave some small sign of approval. They need a word of
recognition, a caring smile, a warm handshake, and an honest expression of
appreciation for the good we see in them or in their work.
Every day let's determine to encourage (not flatter) at least one person.
Let's do our part to help those around us who are dying for encouragement.
—Richard De Haan
It may seem insignificant
To say a word or two;
But when we give encouragement,
What wonders it can do! —K. De Haan
A word of encouragement can make the difference between giving up or going
on. |
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Deuteronomy
4:1-14
Misquote
Imagine the
frustration of a mother as she tries to gather her family for supper. Her
8-year-old son comes through the door smuggling a dead bird behind his
back. "Call Ann for dinner," says his mother. "Then wash your hands and
come to the table."
A minute later the 4-year-old daughter comes running into the kitchen,
sobbing uncontrollably. Her brother had just waved the stiff bird under
her nose and told her that if she wasn't at the table in 17 seconds, Mom
wouldn't let her go out and play for a whole week.
This story about a misquoted mother doesn't begin to capture the confusion
that follows when we misquote the heavenly Father. Often we become
preoccupied with our own ideas of how things should be, like Job's
friends, who didn't speak rightly about the Lord (Job 42:7). The result is
that we say more, or less, than God actually said in His Word (Deuteronomy
4:2). We need to make sure we know exactly where His words stop and our
opinions begin. If we don't, we may misrepresent Him, and Proverbs 30:6
warns that we are then in danger of being found liars before God.
Let's take care that we don't express our opinions as if they were God's
words. —Mart De Haan
Lord, grant us wisdom to discern
The truth that You've made known,
And may we never teach one word
Beyond what You have shown. —D. De Haan
We must adjust our lives to the Bible—never the Bible to our lives. |
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Deuteronomy
4:15-31
UNSEEN MAJESTY
"You shall not make for yourself a carved image." -- Exodus 20:4
The Encyclopedia Britannica describes Marcus Terentius Varro (116-27 BC)
as "Rome's greatest
scholar." He wrote more than 600 books on many subjects. Among
his writings is this statement:
"They who first introduced images of the gods removed fear and added
error."
This profound statement helps us understand why Moses reminded Israel at
Sinai, "You saw no form when the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the
midst of the fire" (Dt. 4:15). It also underscores
the reason behind God's command prohibiting any physical representations
of Him.
We cannot love and serve the Lord in an acceptable manner unless we have
an accurate understanding of His character. Any physical portrayal,
however, whether with pictures, icons, or statues, distorts our perception
of His true character and lessens a healthy respect for His awesome
holiness and power.
If Rome's greatest secular scholar, guided only by the light of nature and
reason, could see the
dangers of misrepresenting deity, how much more should we who have special
revelation carefully attend to every word God has spoken.
Let's ask the Lord to instill in us a healthy respect of Him and help us
grow in our knowledge
of His character. - D J De Haan
Immortal, invisible, God only
wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious -- Thy great name we praise. - Smith
God made us in His image;
don't try to make Him in yours.
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Deuteronomy 5:20
Tell The Truth
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. --Exodus 20:16
How prone we are to lying! With a stroke of exaggeration here, an omitted
detail there, or a misleading silence we distort the truth. Yet truth is
the foundation and superstructure of all relationships. Remove the girders
of truth, and society crumbles in on itself. This moral absolute is so
self-evident that even criminals punish their own who lie to them.
The ninth commandment forbids purposeful deceit against our neighbor and
underscores the sacredness of truth in all our dealings. The two Hebrew
words used for "false" in Exodus 20:16 and in Deuteronomy 5:20 mean
"untrue" and "insincere." Any expression of insincerity and
untruthfulness, therefore, is bearing false witness against our neighbor.
This commandment also exposes two underlying motives that God
hates--malice and pride. When we lie, it is usually to cast a person in a
bad light or to place ourselves in a good light. The first springs from
malice, the second from pride.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (Jn. 14:6). The closer
we are to Him, the more truthful we will become with ourselves and with
others. The question is, "Are we followers of Him who is the truth?" --D J De
Haan
Lord, cleanse my heart of all deceit
And teach me what is true;
Help me to have integrity
In all I say and do. --Sper
Nothing weakens the truth more than stretching it. |
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Deuteronomy
6
Forgotten Wife
After stopping for gas in Montgomery, Alabama, Sam drove more than 5 hours
before noticing he had left someone behind—his wife. So at the next town
he asked the police to help get him in touch with her. Then Sam called his
wife to tell her he was on his way back. He admitted with great
embarrassment that he just hadn’t noticed her absence.
How Sam could forget his wife is beyond me. But wait! We’re not much
different in our relationship to God. We actually fail to remember the One
who created us and redeemed us. How is this possible? I don’t know. But we
do forget. And it’s a constant struggle not to.
Man’s short attention span is no surprise to God. Speaking to Israel, He
offered solutions in Deuteronomy 6.
God gave these instructions:
Focus on life's purpose, and keep your priorities straight (Dt. 6:4-5).
Become so familiar with the Bible that
it is a part of what you think and feel and do (v.6).
Talk about God to your children, and look for opportunities to tell them
of His love (v.7).
Write reminders to yourself and put
them where they can be easily seen (vv.8-9).
Realize that your need for God is not
limited to times of obvious stress or danger. Enjoy with gratitude
whatever health and happiness you have (vv.10-11).
Can we put God out of our mind? I’m afraid so. That’s why we must
acknowledge and obey Him continually. It’s the only way of keeping Him in
mind. -M. R. De Haan II
King of my life I
crown Thee now—
Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow,
Lead me to Calvary. - Hussey
Backsliding begins when knee-bending stops.
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Deuteronomy
6:1-9a
Check Your Blind Spots
When I was in high school, I had a
driving instructor who gave me some sound advice. "You think by looking in
the rearview mirror you know what is on your left side, but your vision is
limited," he said. "Always look over your shoulder before changing lanes.
There may be another car in your blind spot." His wise instruction has
kept me out of more potential wrecks than I care to think about.
Moses had some wise instruction for the people of Israel. They were to
make the study and contemplation of God's commandments an integral part of
life. Moses said, "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and
shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way,
when you lie down, and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:7). In short,
God's words were to permeate every aspect of their lives.
The Bible is our instruction manual from God for navigating life's
journey. But merely owning a copy is not enough. It must be studied,
applied, and passed on to others.
Just as checking our blind spot should become an automatic response while
we drive, applying God's Word should be our natural response as we
encounter the hazards of life. It will help us avoid a spiritual crash.
—Dennis Fisher
The Bible will transform our lives
And turn us from our sin,
If we will read it and obey
God's principles within. —Sper
The Bible will tell you what is wrong before you have done it! —Moody |
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Deuteronomy
6:1-9
EDUCATION STARTS AT HOME
"The father shall make known Your truth to the children." - Isaiah 38:19
It's time for the lazy days of summer to give way to the busy days of
fall. Time again for school to start. Getting youngsters ready for school
can leave parents gasping for breath.
But there's more to getting the children ready than filling their backpack
and getting them to the bus on time. They must also be prepared
spiritually. Before they hit the books, they need to know that the most
important things they will ever learn come from THE Book: the Bible.
There are many ways this can be done. One family takes time before school
to have Bible reading. While Dad and the kids eat, Mom reads a
chapter as they work through the whole Bible. Another family uses
the time to read and discuss shorter passages -- Dad taking one child, Mom
the other. Some parents use the night before to share scriptural truths.
If you have school-age children, the pattern you develop for teaching them
God's Word is important. No matter what their school situation is -
whether home-school, Christian school, private school, or public school -
the main responsibility of spiritual training belongs to the parents.
Before anyone else has a chance to educate our children, we need to teach
them about God. - J D Brannon
God gives us children
for a time,
To train them in His way,
To love them and to teach them how
To follow and obey. - Sper
If children are to
find their way to God, someone must point the way.
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Deuteronomy
6:1-9b
Our Children Are Watching
It can be disturbing to realize that
our children often mirror the way we speak and act. I remember being
concerned about the way my son angrily lashed out at his sister when she
was annoying him. My wife gently pointed out to me that his behavior was a
reflection of mine.
A few weeks later, I caught myself lashing out at my son when I was
frustrated. Through my wife's encouragement, I apologized to him for my
behavior and told him I would learn to treat him with more respect. In the
months that followed, I noticed that my son's attitude toward his sister
also improved.
Children do not learn to love and obey God only by what we say. They also
learn by watching what we do. We are to teach them constantly about God
and His Word as we "sit in [our] house, when [we] walk by the way, when
[we] lie down, and when [we] rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:7). Along with what
we say to our children, we need to set an example by our love and
obedience to the Lord.
We can't be perfect parents, but our children must see our desire to
please the Lord. And when we fall short, they need to see our repentance.
We teach them by both what we say and what we do. —Albert Lee
You're teaching a lesson each day that you live;
Your actions are blazing a trail
That children will follow for good or for ill;
You can help them or cause them to fail. —Bosch
A godly parent is a child's best guide to God. |
Deuteronomy 6:4
Monotheism
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is
one LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4).
This great verse has been recited countless times by Israelites down
through the centuries, setting forth their distinctive belief in one great
Creator God. The Jews had retained their original belief in creation,
handed down from Noah, while the other nations had all allowed their
primitive monotheistic creationism to degenerate into a wide variety of
religions, all basically equivalent to the polytheistic evolutionism of
the early Sumerians at Babel.
But along with its strong assertion of monotheism, there is also a very
real suggestion that this declaration, with its thrice-named subject, is
also setting forth the Triune God. The name, “LORD,” of course, is Yahweh,
or Jehovah, the self-existing One who reveals Himself, while “God” is
Elohim, the powerful Creator/Ruler. “Jehovah our Elohim is one Jehovah” is
the proclamation. A number of respected Jewish commentators have
acknowledged that the verse spoke of a “unified oneness,” rather than an
“absolute oneness.” The revered book, called the Zohar, for example, even
said that the first mention was of the Father, the second one the Messiah;
and the third, the Holy Spirit.
The key word “one” (Hebrew = 'echad) is often used to denote unity in
diversity. For example, when Eve was united to Adam in marriage, they were
said to be “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Similarly, on the third day of
creation, the waters were “gathered together unto one place,” yet this
gathering together was called “Seas” (Genesis 1:9,10).
Thus Israel’s great declaration should really be understood as saying in
effect: The eternally omnipresent Father, also Creator and sustainer of
all things, is our unified self-revealing Lord.” -H M M |
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Deuteronomy
6:4a
THE WRONG "GOD"
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart" (Deuteronomy 6:5).
Many people come to a sad end because they worship wrong gods. Some are
wicked, having made a god out of sensual pleasure. Others are decent
people, yet they too have worshiped the wrong god.
After a young farmer committed suicide, his wife said, "Farming wasn't
just a job with Floyd. It was his identity, his nationality, his religion.
Working with the ground gave us both a sense of connection with the
Almighty. But it had gone sour by the time Floyd killed himself."
My heart goes out to people like Floyd. They have a deep appreciation of
God's natural world and are willing to work hard. But when-ever an
occupation or anything temporal takes priority in life, it be-comes our
god. The apostle John admonished us, "Do not love the world or the things
in the world. . . . For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of
the world" (1 John 2:15-16). This can apply to any earthly pursuit that
becomes central in our lives.
When we love anything more than the true and living God revealed in the
Bible, we are worshiping it. Whatever it is, it won't last. And it won't
be able to help us when our plans shatter, our health fails, or death
beckons. Only the true God can help us then. —H. V. Lugt
The "world" is whatever cools our
affection for Christ.
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Deuteronomy
6:4-9
The Dead Sea Squirrels
Our family was excited to visit the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit that was
coming to town all the way from Israel. These ancient copies of the Old
Testament provide evidence that our Bible has remained accurate over the
centuries. Our nephew Daniel was so elated about this outing that he told
his schoolmates, “Our family is going to see ‘the dead sea squirrels!’” We
all laughed when we heard his misquote. His little ears had turned a word
he had never heard (scrolls) into a word he did know (squirrels). And in
his childlike enthusiasm, he also knew that the family was going to see
something wonderful!
Daniel’s excitement underscores an important spiritual aspect of
parenting. Values are transmitted to our children not only by what we say
but by the emotions we convey. Both content and heartfelt appreciation for
God’s Word can be communicated to children in a variety of ways (Deut.
6:4-9), including what they overhear in our conversation with others.
Young children may not initially understand each spiritual idea we
discuss, but they can catch the importance we place on it. Children pick
up on spiritual values and grow in understanding as we express reverence
and excitement about the Word of God. —Dennis Fisher
Lord, give us wisdom to provide
The proper atmosphere
To lead our children in Your ways
By what they see and hear. —Sper
Train up a child in the way he should go—but be sure you go that way
yourself. |
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Deuteronomy
6:5
Love Goes Beyond Liking
From childhood on, we are urged to show love, whether it's for parents
or pets or friends, and especially for Jesus. But what is love?
We think of love as an emotion, a tender feeling, a positive reaction. So
when Scripture commands us to love God and our neighbor, we may be
confused about the meaning of love (Matthew 22:37-40).
Feelings simply cannot be commanded. A mother can order her child to love
spinach, but she can't compel him to react positively when faced with a
helping of that green vegetable.
So love must be more than an emotion. An old translation of our Lord's
command may help us to understand love as an action that we choose: "Thou
shalt love . . . ." It's choosing to be patient, kind, selfless, and
humble (1 Corinthians 13:4-5). We can love others even though we may not
like them, because it's a matter of making a choice.
Yes, we can respond obediently to what our Savior directs us to do. He
knows, though, that we are not capable of doing this on our own. That's
why He's given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to a life of loving
obedience. With His help, we can learn to love those we don't like. Who
knows? We may even begin to like them. —Vernon C Grounds
O Lord, how often selfishness
Will raise its ugly head,
So help us, Lord, to conquer it
And show Your love instead. —D. De Haan
Loving others requires a heart of obedience to God. |
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Deuteronomy
6:7
STRONG FAMILIES
"You shall teach (these words) diligently to your children." -
Deuteronomy 6:7
David Williams, a football player for the Houston Oilers, gave up a week's
salary to be present at the birth of his son Scot. His coach objected, but
Williams put his wife and family before his career. If he continues to
demonstrate this kind of commitment to his family, then Scot too is likely
to see the importance of right priorities.
In more than 40 years of ministry, I have encountered many situations in
which a father put his work before his family, only to see his children
rebel.
Although Eli had done much for the Lord as a priest, he failed as a parent
(1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-26). He waited too long to discipline his sons, and
when he did try to restrain them his rebuke was so weak that they paid no
attention. Eli's life ended in heartbreak because his sons didn't follow
the ways of the Lord.
Even the best of parents can't be sure their children won't turn from the
Lord, but the risk can be minimized. If children know their parents expect
obedience and will punish disobedience, especially when discipline is fair
and given in love, they are more likely to turn out well.
A strong family is one of life's most precious gifts. Let's do all we can
to make ours a place where each member feels loved and respected. - H V Lugt
Our children are a
gift from God
On loan from heaven above,
To train and nourish in the Lord
And show to them His love.-- Sper
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Christian homes
don't just happen - they're built.
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Deuteronomy
6:10-19
When All Looks Bright
Life looks rosy to many people. Their
work is fulfilling. The house or apartment doesn’t need repair. Their bank
account shows a surplus. Family members are enjoying good health. Friends
are loyal.
Good times, however, can be dangerous. The comforts and pleasures of this
world can become so important that we give God little or no place in our
thoughts. Prosperity can quickly lead to complacency.
God knew this would happen to His people when they entered the Promised
Land. So He warned them not to forget the source of their blessings (Deut.
6:12). He instructed them:
• Fear the Lord (v.13).
• Serve Him (v.13).
• Do not go after other gods (v.14).
• Do not tempt the Lord (v.16).
• Keep the commandments (v.17).
• Do what is right and good (v.18).
Historians tell us that religious fervor usually declines during
prosperous times. But if we will learn from Israel’s experience and heed
the Lord’s instruction, this need not happen to us.
Let’s be careful that we do not forget the Lord—especially when all looks
bright! —Herbert Vander Lugt
Help us, O Lord, to ponder this:
We have no good apart from You;
For we are prone to take our ease
When all is bright and skies are blue. —D. De Haan
Prosperity may be a greater test of character than poverty
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Deuteronomy 6:20
Responsibility to
Teach Children
On three separate
occasions, God told parents in Israel how to answer the serious questions
of their sons and daughters (see Exodus 13:14, Deuteronomy 6:20, and
Joshua 4:6,21). This would indicate that God wants us to take the time to
answer our children when they ask us about spiritual matters. How we
respond can either greatly help or terribly discourage them.
Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy told of an aunt who hurt him deeply when she
didn’t take time to answer some questions that were troubling him. She
stirred his emotions by telling him of Jesus’ crucifixion, but when he
cried out, “Auntie, why did they torture Him?” she said simply, “They were
wicked.” “But wasn’t He God?” Tolstoy asked. Instead of explaining that
Jesus was indeed God, that He had become a man so He could die for our
sins, she said, “Be still—it is 9 o’clock!” When he persisted, she
retorted, ““Be quiet, I say, I’m going to the dining room to have tea.”
This left young Tolstoy greatly agitated.
Commenting on this scene, Calvin Miller said,
“Tolstoy found it incomprehensible that
Christ had been brutalized and his aunt was not interested enough to stay
a little past tea time and talk about it.”
Do we allow our own
interests—a television program, a sporting event, a hobby—to keep us from
taking time to listen, admonish, and instruct our children, or anyone who
may ask us about God? If we pause long enough to explain His truth, He
will use it to change lives. -H. V. Lugt
Lord, teach me how to
love and live
That I may cheer each heart,
And to my fellowman in need
Some blessing rich impart.- Anon.
Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can,
for all the people you can, while you can. |
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Deuteronomy
7:6-16
News Bulletin
The news bulletin
commanded attention. Several inmates had escaped from a penitentiary. They
were armed and considered extremely dangerous. A police spokesman stressed
to the community the importance of caution. He said, "These men are
desperate. They have nothing to lose. They have killed and could kill
again."
Deuteronomy 7 contains a far more serious warning. Overall, the passage is
a positive expression of blessing. It shows the willingness of God to help
those who trust Him. But that's not the whole picture. Did you catch the
"news bulletin" in verse 10? The Lord alerted Israel to be on the
lookout—not for bad men roaming the streets but for a good God who will
destroy all those who hate Him.
It's true. Evil men are not the only ones to be feared. We are also to
fear our good God. Even though He is merciful and full of compassion, His
awesome holiness makes all other kinds of fear look mild by comparison.
We might not like to face this sobering truth. But God will not always be
patient with those people who have no love or respect for Him. That's a
news bulletin we can't afford to miss. —Mart De Haan
You've heard the news—there's no escape—
The Lord is coming to make right
The wrongs in this dark world of hate;
So make your choice—come to the Light. —Hess
Live today as if you will stand before God tomorrow.
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Deuteronomy
7:10
News Bulletin
He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. —Deuteronomy
7:10
The news bulletin
commanded attention. Several inmates had escaped from a penitentiary. They
were armed and considered extremely dangerous. A police spokesman stressed
to the community the importance of caution. He said, "These men are
desperate. They have nothing to lose. They have killed and could kill
again."
Deuteronomy 7 contains a far more serious warning. Overall, the passage is
a positive expression of blessing. It shows the willingness of God to help
those who trust Him. But that's not the whole picture. Did you catch the
"news bulletin" in verse 10? The Lord alerted Israel to be on the
lookout—not for bad men roaming the streets but for a good God who will
destroy all those who hate Him.
It's true. Evil men are not the only ones to be feared. We are also to
fear our good God. Even though He is merciful and full of compassion, His
awesome holiness makes all other kinds of fear look mild by comparison.
We might not like to face this sobering truth. But God will not always be
patient with those people who have no love or respect for Him. That's a
news bulletin we can't afford to miss. —Mart De Haan
You've heard the
news—there's no escape—
The Lord is coming to make right
The wrongs in this dark world of hate;
So make your choice—come to the Light. —Hess
Live today as if you will stand before God tomorrow.
Just Before Heaven |
Deuteronomy
8:1-18
Give Credit Where It's Due
Every Sunday in many
churches, people recite the Lord's Prayer, which contains this line: "Give
us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). Then during the remainder of
the week, most of them go out and earn money to buy their food. Secretly,
they may sometimes feel like the ungrateful cartoon character who prayed
before his meal and said, "Dear God, we paid for all this ourselves, so
thanks for nothing."
How easy it is to give ourselves the credit for acquiring things we
need—that is, until we're driven to our knees because of the lean times.
In Deuteronomy 8:3, the Lord reminded Israel of their hunger in the
wilderness and of His daily supply of manna to sustain them. Through this
amazing provision God proved that He was their source and provider. He
wanted them to remember that it was His power, not merely their own, that
enabled them to get wealth (vv.17-18).
Writer Os Guiness recommends building a "ministry of remembering" into our
Christian living by taking stock often, by keeping a record of God's
goodness, and by thanking Him daily for countless tiny joys. These moments
of remembering help us say a decisive no to self-sufficiency. Then we can
honestly pray to the Father, "Give us this day our daily bread," with our
faith resting securely in Him. —Joanie Yoder
Often we forget as we eat our daily bread,
From whom it all has come, to us who are well-fed;
But may we all remember, as we walk upon this sod,
That everything we have is from the hand of God. --Fitzhugh
Give credit where credit is due—give thanks to God |
Deuteronomy
8:1-20
Self-Made?
The story is told of a millionaire who
attended a banquet and sat next to some people who were discussing the
subject of prayer. He declared, "Prayer may be all right for you, but I
don't need it. I worked hard for everything I have. I didn't ask God for
anything!" A university president responded, "Sir, there is one thing you
don't have that you might pray for." "And what might that be?" asked the
man. The educator replied, "You could pray for humility."
When the Israelites were about to occupy the land of Canaan, Moses looked
ahead and knew they would be blessed with an abundance of flocks, silver,
and gold--all the result of God's goodness. Knowing that this could easily
lead to a feeling of self-sufficiency, he warned that no one should ever
boast by saying, "My power and the might of my hand have gained me this
wealth" (Dt. 8:17).
We are all prone to a certain amount of pride. If everything goes well, we
feel self-sufficient. When a blessing comes our way, we may think we
received it because we deserved it. That's foolish pride, and it's out of
place in the life of the child of God.
Let's honor the Giver of every good and perfect gift (Jas. 1:17) by
praising Him for His generosity. —Richard De Haan
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration! --Neander
The trouble with some self-made men is that they worship their creator.
|
|
Deuteronomy
8:15-16
BENEFICIAL DISCOMFORT
[God] led thee through that great and terrible wilderness . . . that he
might humble thee, and that he might test thee, to do thee good at thy
latter end. Deuteronomy 8:15, 16
I sometimes feel sorry for the boys and girls living in this age of
affluence and comfort! Few of them know what it is to swelter under a hot
sun as they toil in a field, or to feel the bite of winter's bitterly cold
blasts while walking to school, or doing chores. Those who have known the
discomfort of blistering heat have also appreciated the welcome coolness
of a large shade tree, and those who have endured the stinging pain of
frostbite have also known the cozy feeling of entering a warm house. This
may sound as if I am saying the discomfort was good because it made us
appreciate simple pleasures — much like the boy who said he liked to hit
himself with a hammer because it felt so good when he stopped. That is not
the point, however. True, those hard experiences did make us appreciate
ordinary comforts, but they also taught us valuable lessons in
self-reliance, determination, courage, and industry! We felt challenged to
accomplish our tasks even though doing so involved some misery and much
weariness. Those difficult lessons of life could not be learned in the way
of ease and luxury.
The Israelites too had to endure their forty years of wandering through
the wilderness, with its fiery serpents, scorpions, and drought, but the
Lord subjected them to these trials to humble them and make them ready for
their future role as His chosen people in the land of Canaan (Deut. 8:16).
Christian, you may not find pleasure in some of the disciplines of life,
but remember that God in this way is also preparing you for eternity. He
wants "to do thee good at thy latter end."
When through fiery
trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient shall be thy supply;
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
Sore trial makes common Christians into uncommon saints,
fit for uncommon service! |
Deuteronomy
9:1-6
How Deserving Are We?
I remember the day our secondhand
refrigerator finally broke down. As a young newlywed employed by a Christian
ministry, I didn't have much money to spend on repairs. Not knowing where to
turn for reliable help, I called a friend in the electrical business. He
assured me that he would handle the problem. Later that evening, I found a
brand-new refrigerator in our kitchen. I asked myself, "What did I do to
deserve such help?"
It's easy to think we deserve the help that others graciously give us. When
we're successful, we tend to assume that we deserve our possessions. Success
goes to our head. It makes us proud and can even turn us away from God.
In Deuteronomy 9, we read of God's reminder to Israel about the reason they
would be successful. God wanted His people to remember that He was leading
them into the land to fulfill His purpose and promises. They would succeed
because of Him, not because of their own righteousness (vv.4-5). He knew
they would be tempted to become ungrateful after they were prospering in the
Promised Land.
Ungratefulness is a temptation for us today as well. If our endeavors are
successful, let's make sure we are thankful to God for His goodness, help,
and protection. —Albert Lee
Help me, O Lord, lest my heart become proud,
For all of my talents by You are endowed;
Nothing I have can I claim as my own—
What mercy and grace in my life You have shown! —D. De Haan
We don't need more to be thankful for, we just need to be more thankful. |
Deuteronomy
9:9-16
Fast FreezeThanks to
Internet technology, I can watch ice building up on Lake Michigan from my
warm office 30 miles away. The changing angle of the sun's rays in winter
chills the earth. Frigid temperatures turn surging water into rock-hard ice
in a surprisingly short time. Witnessing this rapid transition reminds me of
how quickly our hearts can turn cool toward God.
That happened to the ancient Israelites. After God miraculously rescued them
from slavery, they became impatient when Moses climbed Mt. Sinai to meet God
and didn't return according to their timetable. So they got together and
created their own god (Exodus 32:1). The Lord told Moses to hurry back down
the mountain because the people had so quickly turned away (Deuteronomy
9:12).
When situations don't unfold according to our timetable, we might assume
that God has lost interest in us. When we no longer feel close to Him, our
hearts may grow cold. But God is always with us. As the psalmist wrote,
"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?"
(Psalm 139:7).
Even when God seems distant, He's not. His presence fills heaven and earth
(vv.8-10). There's never a reason to let our hearts freeze over.—Julie
Ackerman Link
Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove,
With all Thy quickening powers;
Kindle a flame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of ours. —Watts
The question is not where is God, but where isn't He |
Deuteronomy
10:17-22
I.O.N.U.Sometimes the
Christian life boils down to the uncommon expression of common virtues. For
example, you would expect that people indwelt by the Spirit of love would be
friendly. What a difference practicing that virtue would make in society!
Tim Sanders, in his book Likeability Factor, says that a person who provides
others with “a sense of joy, happiness, relaxation, or rejuvenation” is more
likely to be hired or promoted. He maintains that some companies have
actually abolished unfriendliness. They call their system I.O.N.U.: “I
observe no unfriendliness.”
That principle should be practiced by the citizens of Christ’s kingdom. When
people are asked what they look for in a church, their number-one response
is friendliness. Unfortunately, the reality is that many churchgoers are as
distant as a star and as cold as space.
The Lord told ancient Israel that He “loves the stranger, giving him food
and clothing” (Deuteronomy 10:18). He commanded them to emulate His behavior
(v.19).
Friendliness is not just a wise business practice, it should be a
characteristic of all who follow Christ. When you attend your church today,
act in such a way that a newcomer could say, “I observe no unfriendliness.”
—Haddon W. Robinson
Thinking It Over
What are the key elements that help
a church to be meaningful?
Read
The Church We Need
In a world where many people couldn’t care less, Christians should be people
who couldn’t care more. |
|
Deuteronomy
11:19
LITTLE "SPONGES"
"And ye shall teach them to your children." Deuteronomy 11:19
Sponges have always intrigued me. There is just something about their
appearance, feel, and absorptive qualities that is most fascinating. It
was with a great deal of interest, therefore, that my family visited
Tarpon Springs, Florida, where we could see how sponges are harvested.
Donning their helmets, water-proof suits, and their weighted shoes, the
divers descended into the murky depths to gather their crop. Sponges are
actually animals, and must be cleaned before they are useful for household
purposes. All the living matter must be removed so that the skeleton
which remains with its open-celled structure can soak up and absorb other
elements.
Sponges remind me of children. They, too, quietly and silently soak up
everything with which they come in contact. They are what they are, not
only because of the inheritance of certain characteristics and traits
received from their parents, but also because of their environment. We
must be very careful, there-fore, of what is allowed to fill their little
hearts and minds. How important it is to govern and control their
surroundings.
By the way, what are your children absorbing in your home these days? What
are they getting from that television set? What enters those young minds
through those magazines on your reading table? In listening to your
conversation, what kind of words and attitudes are being impressed upon
them? Are good examples being set by your love for the Lord and concern
for others? Is there a warm, spiritual emphasis in your home? Are you
doing what you can to fill their hearts with God's Word? In years to come
those children will "give out" only that which has been absorbed during
their formative, impressionable years. Make sure those little "sponges" in
your home soak up only that which is pure, wholesome, and uplifting.
Early let them seek
Thy favor;
Early let them do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love their bosoms fill.— W. B. Bradbury
Children seldom misquote you;
they repeat word for word what you SHOULD NOT have said! |
|
Deuteronomy
12:32
Test The Teachers
READ: Proverbs 30:1-6
Revelation. To some
people, it's more than just the name of the last book of the Bible. To
some self-promoting preachers, revelation is something God personally
gives to them. In most cases, however, what they say God has given them
contradicts His teachings in the Bible.
Have you ever been exposed to those who claim to have had a special
"revelation" or "word" from God? If so, be careful. Unless what a person
proclaims as truth can be verified by the clear teaching of the Bible, it
is personal opinion at best and heresy at worst—not divine revelation.
The Scriptures warn us not to add to nor take away from what God has
revealed to us in His written Word. Deuteronomy 4:2 tells us, "You shall
not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it." Similar
warnings are found in Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6, and Revelation
22:18. It is indeed a precarious position for a person to put himself
in—claiming to add to God's inspired Book.
If someone attempts to teach a doctrine not found in the Bible, beware—no
matter how polished and well-known the person is. Test the teachers you
hear by God's Word. If they talk of receiving a revelation, make sure they
aren't violating God's clear warnings. —Dave Branon —Dave Branon
God's Word must verify the truth
Of what is wrong and what is right,
And test what seems so real to me
Of feelings, sense, and sight. —D. De Haan
Test all teaching by the truth of God's Word. |
|
Deuteronomy
15:7-11
For The Poor
The man sits on the
street corner day after day, begging for money. He’s poor and desperate
for a little cash to spend on food.
He’s not alone. More than one-half of the world’s people live below the
internationally defined poverty line of less than $2.00 a day. Poverty and
hunger are such a big problem in our world that it’s easy for us to feel
helpless or to become hard-hearted and do nothing.
But God doesn’t close His eyes to the plight of the poor. When He gave His
people guidelines for living, He included instructions on ways to care for
the needy (Deut. 15:11). He told His people, “You shall not harden your
heart, nor shut your hand, from your poor brother, [but] open your hand
wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need” (vv.7-8).
God also commanded His people not to glean the corners of their fields so
that the less fortunate could gather food (Lev. 19:9-10). And Jesus showed
His compassion for the poor by His words and actions.
As Christians, we cannot ignore the plight of the poor today. Individuals
and churches can join with Christian organizations working to combat
poverty as they spread the Word. God has a heart for the poor. Do we?
—Anne Cetas
The poor and needy everywhere
Are objects of God’s love and care,
But they will better know His care
As we seek ways that love to share. —D. De Haan
God gives us all we need so we can give to those in need. |
|
Deuteronomy
17:19
PROFITABLE READING
"and he shall read therein all the days of his life" Deuteronomy 17:19
Some of the greatest scholars in the world have stated without apology
that no man's education can be complete without an acquaintance with the
Bible. Not only are its contents of inestimable value, but its very
literary perfection and beauty are also worthy of our special attention
and admiration. If we are to know this Book, it goes without saying that
we must be willing to read and study it faithfully. No man can master any
subject without diligent effort, concentration, and application. Much of
the criticism laid against the Scriptures has come from those who have
never studied it, much less even read it through.
A certain Bible teacher, boarding a train, found a seat next to a man who
was diligently reading his newspaper. Opening his briefcase the preacher
took out his Bible and began to read. The gentleman with the newspaper,
glancing out of the corner of his eye, saw this unusual sight and his
curiosity was aroused. Finally he said, "Pardon me, Sir, are you a
minister?" "Yes, I am," said the man, and began talking to his questioner
about the Bible. He explained some of the mysteries of that wonderful Book
and its marvelous doctrines and revelations until the other exclaimed in
amazement, "How in the world did you ever learn so much about that Book?"
The Bible teacher simply replied, "I certainly did not get it by reading
the daily newspaper!" Now, we should know what's going on in the world
today. But I am concerned over the amount of time that is taken up in
reading our news-papers, magazines, and periodicals as compared with the
Bible.
By the way, how much time do you spend in spiritual meditation each day?
How diligently do you study God's Word? Upon your answer will depend your
knowledge of the Scriptures and the Man of the Book, the Lord Jesus
Christ.
In my soul, in my
soul,
Send a great revival;
Teach me how to watch and pray,
And to read my Bible!—Anon.
There are multitudes whose Bibles are "read" only on the edges! |
|
Deuteronomy 29:29
SUFFICIENT TRUTH
"The secret things
belong to the LORD but those things which are revealed belong to us"
(Deuteronomy 29:29)
At lunch one day, W. Wilbert Welch, chancellor of the Grand Rapids Baptist
College and Seminary, told a story about one of his professors, Dr.
Brokenshire, a godly and gifted scholar with a thorough knowledge of
Scripture. Welch recalled...
"I remember our
first day in class. The professor didn't know us by name yet, so he
referred to some cards in his hand. Looking up, he said, `Mr. Green?' The
student identified himself. `Mr. Green, do you have any problems with the
Bible?' `No, sir,' replied the confident new student. Brokenshire replied,
`Then why don't you read it? You will."
A thoughtful reading
of the Bible will raise questions. Peter said that Paul's writings
contained "some things hard to understand" (2 Pet. 3:16). Sometimes we see
only one side of a truth, or we come across what seems like a
contradiction. Then there are the bigger problems—divine election and
human freedom, the origin of evil, the reason for pain and suffering. But
these perplexities need not undermine our confidence in the Bible.
God wants us to study the Bible, and a questioning mind is fertile soil
for learning. Some things, however, will remain a mystery, and we must
humbly accept God's right to withhold knowledge from us. No matter what
problems we have in understanding the Bible, we can thank Him that He has
revealed sufficient truth to win our hearts, guide our steps, and bring us
to heaven. —D. J. De Haan
Our difficulties
in understanding the Bible
are not due to divine error but to human ignorance |
|
Deuteronomy
30:1
Do Angels Sleep?
The word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may
do it. —Deuteronomy 30:14
A friend of mine has a 5-year-old daughter who is on her way to becoming a
theologian. One day she asked her father, "Do angels sleep?" After
pondering the theological dimensions of her question, he answered, "Yes, I
think they might." His daughter moved in with a follow-up question, "Well,
then, how do they get their pajamas on over their wings?"
We may be more like that little girl than we think. We never seem to
outgrow asking interesting questions that do not need to be answered. It's
healthy to be inquisitive, but it isn't healthy to obsess over matters
that don't really matter. Such questions may sidetrack us from our faith.
What we need to know about God and His will for us is clearly spelled out
in Scripture. The words He spoke through Moses to His people are true for
us today. "For this commandment which I command you today is not too
mysterious for you, nor is it far off. . . . But the word is very near
you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it" (Deuteronomy
30:11,14).
The Bible isn't a riddle; it's a revelation. It tells us all we need to
know to be all that God wants us to be in every situation in life. —Haddon
Robinson
God's Word reveals
what we should know
To live for Him each day;
His principles we must commit
To study and obey. —Sper
The Bible is as wise in what it leaves unsaid as in what it says. |
|
Deuteronomy
30:15-20
The Choice
You’ve heard the
infamous name of John Wilkes Booth. He assassinated President Abraham
Lincoln in 1865. But have you heard about Edwin Booth, John’s eldest
brother? Edwin, a well-known actor, was waiting at a Jersey City train
station when he saw someone slip and fall off the platform. Edwin quickly
grabbed the man’s collar and pulled him to safety—rescuing him from
serious injury or death. Who was the man he saved? Abraham Lincoln’s son
Robert, a soldier in the Civil War.
How ironic that the man who saved Lincoln’s son had a brother who would
soon kill the president. One saved a life; one took a life. One chose
life; the other chose death.
The Lord gave His people a choice between life and death: They could love
Him and obey His commands (Deut. 30:16), or they could worship and serve
other gods (v.17). He told them, “I have set before you life and death,
blessing and cursing; therefore choose life” (v.19).
We too have a choice between life and death. We can receive Jesus as our
Savior and live with Him forever, or we can reject Jesus and be in
darkness forever without Him. The best choice is clear. Receive God’s gift
of His Son Jesus. Choose life! —Anne Cetas
The choice we make determines our
Eternal destination;
One leads to everlasting life;
The other, condemnation. —Sper
The choice you make today will determine your tomorrow |
|
Deuteronomy
31:14-30
MUSIC'S POWER
Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of
Israel. Deuteronomy 31:22
A college student was troubled by sinful thoughts. Even though he
regularly read his Bible and prayed, he continued to struggle, so he
sought help from a Christian counselor.
"What kind of music do you listen to?" asked the counselor. The student
said it was secular rock. The counselor then commented, "Think of your
mind as a big sheet of paper. Each song you hear is a match burning the
edges. You ask God to heal the burn, and He begins applying the salve of
His Word. But you keep adding matches. Listen to Christian music and see
what happens." The student did, and the truth set to music began to heal
his mind.
God combines music's power with truth to draw His people closer to
Himself. In Deuteronomy 32, Moses taught a new generation of Israelites a
long song of 43 verses. It proclaimed God's faithfulness, but it would
also become a witness against them when they settled in the Promised Land
and forsook Him. The song's purpose was twofold: It would show the
Israelites that God had a right to their love, and it would call them back
to
Himself when they had come to the end of their own strength (vv.36-39).
Never underestimate music's power. It can either hinder the Spirit's work
or increase your love for Christ. -D J De Haan
There is a music from
above
That takes away our tears;
It is God's melody of love--
It quiets all our fears.
DJD
If there's no
harmony in your life, try changing your tune. |
|
Deuteronomy
32:1-14
FREE-FALLING
"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."
- Deuteronomy 33:27
In the tender song of Moses found in today's Bible reading, God is
portrayed as a dedicated mother
eagle who can be trusted by her young, even in the scary experience of
learning to fly (Deuteronomy 32:11).
A mother eagle builds a comfortable nest for her young, padding it with
feathers from her own breast.
But God-given instinct that builds that secure nest also forces the
eaglets out of it before long. Eagles are made to fly, and love will not
fail to teach them. Only then will they become what they are meant to be.
So one day the mother eagle will disturb the twigs of the nest, making it
an uncomfortable place to stay. Then she will pick up a perplexed eaglet,
soar into the sky, and drop it. The little bird will begin to free-fall.
Where is Mama now? She is not far away. Quickly she will swoop under and
catch the fledgling on one strong wing. She will repeat this exercise
until each eaglet is capable of flying on its own.
Are you afraid of free-falling? Remember, God will fly to your rescue and
spread His everlasting arms beneath you. He will also teach you something
new and wonderful through it. Falling into God's arms is nothing to be
afraid of. - J E Yoder
He will ever keep
your soul,
What would harm, He will control:
In the home and by the way
He will keep you day by day.
God's love does
not keep us from trials but sees us through them. |
|
Deuteronomy
32:4
Not Fair
When I was coaching
high school freshman girls basketball in the fall of 2005, I was surprised
at how many times I heard, “That’s not fair!”
The girls’ motivation seemed to depend on whether or not they thought what
I asked them to do was fair. If I asked some girls to do a defensive drill
while others shot free throws, I heard, “Not fair.” If I allowed one group
to play offense longer than another group, I heard, “Not fair.”
So many situations in life shout, “Not fair!” I observe Christian couples
who struggle to have babies while others are blessed with children and
then abuse them. I look at families whose children are all alive and well,
while I go through life without one of mine. I see friends who long to
serve God but can’t because of health issues.
It’s then that I must go back to a basic truth. We are not the arbiters of
fairness. God is, and He knows far more than we do about His plans and
purposes. The question isn’t about fairness. In the end, it’s about trust
in a faithful God who knows what He is doing. “He is the Rock, His work is
perfect; for all His ways are justice” (Deut. 32:4).
Life will never look fair. But when we trust God, we always know that He
is faithful. —Dave Branon
If you feel that blessings pass you by,
And for you life seems a bit unfair,
Just remember, Christ was born to die,
And in His great salvation you can share. —Hess
Life is not always fair, but God is always faithful. |
Deuteronomy
32:29
Plan Your Departure!
Oh, that they were wise, that they
understood this, that they would consider their latter end! Deuteronomy
32:29
All of us need to make specific plans for our departure from this life. If
we don’t, we can be left in a predicament similar to that of a young man
who became stranded in an Alaskan wilderness. His adventure began in the
spring of 1981 when he was flown into the desolate north country to
photograph the natural beauty and mysteries of the tundra. He had photo
equipment, 500 rolls of film, several firearms, and 1400 pounds of
provisions. As the months passed, the entries in his diary, which at first
detailed his wonder and fascination with the wildlife around him, turned
into a pathetic record of a nightmare. In August he wrote,
“I think I should have used more
foresight about arranging my departure. I’ll soon find out.”
He waited and
waited, but no one came to his rescue. In November he died in a nameless
valley, by a nameless lake, 225 miles northeast of Fairbanks. An
investigation revealed that he had carefully mapped out his venture, but
had made no provision to be flown out of the area.
In the 32nd chapter of Deuteronomy we read that the Israelites made a
similar mistake. For a while they had all they needed, but it soon became
obvious that they had given no thought to the outcome of worshipping false
gods and living for their own enjoyment. They failed to consider “their
latter end.”
Have you thought about your exit from life? Trusting Christ as Savior and
living for Him each day is the only way to be sure we have prepared for
our departure. -M. R. De Haan II
O Lord, You’d have us
ponder this,
One truth You’d have us see—
It’s in this life we chart our course
For all eternity.-D.J.D.
You can’t repent too soon,
for you know not how soon it may be too late. |
Deuteronomy
32:44-52
A Bitter Attitude
Great emphasis is being placed on living longer and better. Advances
in medical science are making it possible for more and more people.
Yet in spite of this, none of us can avoid growing old. One day
aging will overtake all of us, and our bodies will shut down.
What is preventable, however, is an attitude of bitterness and
regret as we grow older. Look at the life of Moses. When he was 120
years old, he stood with the Israelites before they crossed the
Jordan River and entered the Promised Land. He could not go with
them because he had disobeyed the Lord when in anger he struck the
rock in the wilderness (Numbers 20:12,24).
How easily Moses could have slipped into a self-pitying and
resentful frame of mind! Had he not borne the burden of a stubborn
and stiff-necked people for 40 years? Had he not interceded for them
time after time? Yet at the end of his life he praised the Lord and
urged a new generation of Israelites to obey Him (Deuteronomy
32:1-4,45-47).
As we grow older, we can dwell on the failures and hardships of our
past, or we can remember God’s faithfulness, accept His discipline,
and keep looking to the future in faith. It’s the only way to avoid
a bitter attitude.
—Dennis J. De Haan
Though wrinkles and weakness come with age
And life with its stress takes its toll,
Yet beauty and vigor can still be seen
When Jesus gives peace to our soul. —D. De Haan
We cannot avoid growing old; but we can avoid growing cold. |
|
In His
Hands
Deuteronomy 33:3
"All His saints are in Your hand". --Deuteronomy 33:3
On his deathbed, British preacher Charles Simeon smiled brightly and
asked the people gathered in his room, "What do you think especially
gives me comfort at this time?"
When they all remained silent, he exclaimed, "The creation! I ask
myself, 'Did Jehovah create the world or did I?' He did! Now if He
made the world and all the rolling spheres of the universe, He
certainly can take care of me. Into Jesus' hands I can safely commit
my spirit!"
Hudson Taylor, founder of China Inland Mission, in the closing
months of his life said to a friend, "I am so weak. I can't read my
Bible. I can't even pray. I can only lie still in God's arms like a
little child and trust."
Both Simeon and Taylor knew that the almighty God who created the
universe was holding them in His hands. Moses had the same assurance
when he blessed the children of Israel before he died (Deut. 33).
They could face the future with confidence because the God who had
delivered them would also preserve them.
We certainly need not be fearful, then, as we enter a new year. God
will never forsake His redeemed children. We can rejoice that our
great Creator holds us in His hands. And that's true for every child
of God. --H G Bosch
The God who
made the firmament,
Who made the deepest sea,
The God who put the stars in place
Is the God who cares for me. --Berg
The God who holds the universe is the God who is holding you. |
Deuteronomy
33:25a
Secret of a Happy Life
"Your castles and strongholds
shall have bars of iron and bronze, and as your day, so shall your
strength, your rest and security, be." (Amplified Version)
(Deuteronomy 33:25)
These two
Scripture verses prompted someone to write,
“One secret of a happy Christian
life is living by the day. It’s the long stretches that tire us. But
really, there are no long stretches. Life does not come to us all at
once. Tomorrow is not ours; but when it does come, God will supply
both daily bread and daily strength.”
As Pastor
Philip Doddridge was walking along the street one day, he was
feeling depressed and desolate, for something had happened to burden
his heart. Passing a small cottage, he heard through the open door
the voice of a child reading the words found in Deuteronomy 33:25,
“...as your
days, so shall your strength be.”
The Holy
Spirit used that truth to bolster his sinking morale. He was
encouraged not to look too far ahead, but just to go on living for
the Lord from moment to moment in the consciousness that God would
care for him.
Apparently D. L. Moody also learned that secret, for he said,
“A man can no more take a supply
of grace for the future than he can eat enough today to last him for
the next 6 months, nor can he inhale sufficient air into his lungs
with one breath to sustain life for a week to come. We are permitted
to draw upon God’s store of grace from day to day as we need it!”
God never
gives His strength in advance, so let’s stop crossing bridges before
we come to them. The Heavenly Father will graciously supply our
every need—one day at a time!
Don’t try to
bear tomorrow’s burdens with today’s grace. |
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Deuteronomy
33:26-29
Everlasting Arms
After a pre-concert
rehearsal in New York City’s Carnegie Hall, Randall Atcheson sat on stage
alone. He had successfully navigated the intricate piano compositions of
Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt for the evening program, and with only
minutes remaining before the doors opened, he wanted to play one more
piece for himself. What came from his heart and his hands was an old hymn
by Elisha Hoffman:
What have I to dread,
what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace
with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Those words echo the truth in the final blessing of Moses: “There is no
one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in
His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, and
underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:26-27).
What a gift we have in our own arms and hands—they can swing a hammer,
hold a child, or help a friend. But while our strength is limited, God’s
boundless power on our behalf is expressed in might and gentle care.
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save” (Isaiah
59:1). “He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His
bosom” (Isaiah 40:11).
Whatever challenge or opportunity we face, there is security and peace in
His everlasting arms. —David C. McCasland
The heavenly Father’s arms never tire of holding His children |
Deuteronomy 33:27a
Fall Into His Arms"The eternal God is
thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27
As I was reading the words of today’s text from Deuteronomy, I recalled an
old song written by Ada Habershon. “When I fear my faith will fail, Christ
will hold me fast; when the tempter would prevail, He can hold me fast.”
Say, that’s good theology!
A lady who was facing difficult trials and troubling circumstances came to
W. B. Hinson at the close of a sermon and said,
“I’m very much afraid I might fall.”
Hinson replied,
“Well, why don’t you do it?”
“But Preacher,” she protested, “where
would I fall to?”
“You would fall down into the
everlasting arms of God, came his reply.
Then he said,
“I have read in the Bible that His
everlasting arms are underneath His children. And you know, I believe that
if you fall down upon those everlasting arms, it is sure and certain that
you will never fall through them.”
Yes, the believer
can rest in the unfailing strength and support of the omnipotent Father.
God bolsters this assurance with a progression of truth in Isaiah 41:10
when He says through the prophet, | |