 |
| Photo by Michael Niessl on Unsplash |
Today you are about to cross the Jordan River…But
recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of
you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will
quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised.”
— Deuteronomy 9:1,3
GOD WILL CROSS OVER AHEAD OF YOU.
It is because of God’s grace that the people of Israel
experienced victory over their enemies, not because of their own righteousness.
It is because of God’s undeserved favor in our lives that we experience His
blessings, not because of anything we have done to earn His love. I am
overwhelmed with gratitude this morning that God crosses over ahead of us, that
He allows us to experience His presence, that He sets out a road for us to
follow. I will daily choose to love Him, serve Him and obey Him.
“After the Lord your God has done this for you, don’t say
in your hearts, ‘The Lord has given us this land because we are such good
people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is
pushing them out of your way. It is not because you are so good or have such
integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The Lord your God will drive
these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill
the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You must
recognize that the Lord your God is not giving you this land because you are
good, for you are not – you are a stubborn people.” – Deuteronomy 9:3-6
Moses reminded God’s people of how angry they had made
the Lord when they rebelled against him. He told them the story again of how
they had melted down their gold and made a calf to worship, while Moses was on
the mountain receiving instructions from God. When Moses pleaded with God to
forgive His people once again, He chose to give them another chance — another
pair of tablets with the ten commandments written on them. They had another
opportunity to get it right, so Moses imparted wisdom to them before they started
this new chapter in history.
So now Israel, what do you think God expects from you?
Just this: LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE in holy reverence, follow the road he sets out
for you, love him, serve God, your God, with everything you have in you, obey
the commandments and regulations of God that I’m commanding you today—live a
good life.
Look around you: Everything you see is God’s—the heavens
above and beyond, the Earth, and everything on it. But it was your ancestors
who God fell in love with; he picked their children—that’s you!—out of all the
other peoples. That’s where we are right now. So cut away the thick calluses
from your heart and stop being so willfully hard headed. God, your God, is the
God of all gods, he’s the Master of all masters, a God immense and powerful and
awesome. He doesn’t play favorites, takes no bribes, makes sure orphans and
widows are treated fairly, takes loving care of foreigners by seeing that they
get food and clothing.
You must treat foreigners with the same loving care —
remember, you were once foreigners in Egypt.
Reverently respect God, your God, serve him, hold tight
to him, back up your promises with the authority of his name.
He’s your praise! He’s your God!
He did all these tremendous, these staggering things that
you saw with your own eyes.
When your ancestors entered Egypt, they numbered a mere
seventy souls. And now look at you—you look more like the stars in the night
skies in number. And your God did it. – Deuteronomy 10:12-17 (The Message)
FOLLOW THE ROAD SET FOR YOU.
Father God, I cannot help but smile as I think of your
goodness! My heart is overflowing with all you have done! Thank you for being a
generous God, even when we fail and struggle. Lord, thank you for the privilege
to be called to holiness, to be set apart for your glory and for your
excellence. We feast in your presence this morning as we rejoice in all you
have accomplished! Fill us with your strength and your righteousness today, we
pray.
Lord, we take this time to pray for our country. We know
we are not a nation that deserves your blessings. Please forgive us for our
hardheadedness and cut away our thick calluses. Help us to find a balance
between protecting our freedoms and protecting our country. Help us to always
be a refuge for those in need, to be compassionate towards ALL people. You are
a God immense and powerful and awesome, taking loving care of all your
children. Give us hearts that extend that same love to one another, treating
foreigners with the same loving care we receive from you. Amen.
Source: www.mymorningcoffee.org
No comments:
Post a Comment