Day 108
Deuteronomy 29:1-30:10, Luke 19:11-44, Proverbs 10:1-10
The theme of blessing and curses continues today but they are held in a very significant context. The section is headed "renewal of the Covenant" and falls within the comments right at the outset of Deuteronomy. The whole book is written like a legal document reciting and renewing the covenant between God and the people. And so today we get to the meaty part, the actual renewal. The words might not seem much, but just imagine the significance of v10. We have seen throughout our reading of the Old Testament what it is to be in the presence of the Lord. People couldn't see his face, Moses had to be hidden in the cleft of a rock and he had to go up the mountain alone and to the tent alone to talk to God. The ark of the covenant was the presence of God and if people touched that they died. And whenever it was in camp it was in the Holy of Holies where one man was allowed to go. We may know that god is everywhere, and always with us, but this was their understanding of the presence of God. And in v10, they are all in the presence of the Lord. This was a significant moment for them and we shouldn't underestimate it.
Within our own church we have a similar significant moment when we renew our covenant with God. We stand before him, acknowledge those times when we have stepped and turned away from him and then we make the promise once more:
These are really strong words that dedicate our lives to God. Zacchaeus has a similar moment where his encounter with Jesus makes him give all that he has, including his considerable wealth, to the Lord.
The proverbs too, are not just a list of wise sayings. Righteousness (v2), diligent hands (v4) and a wise heart (v8) are all ways that we can live our lives for Christ. Not being lazy, not being foolish but living wholeheartedly for him. It is all part of our covenant relationship with the Lord.
We don't have to wait for the annual covenant service in order to pray the above prayer. Do something awesome today and stand in the presence of the Lord and give of yourself.
The theme of blessing and curses continues today but they are held in a very significant context. The section is headed "renewal of the Covenant" and falls within the comments right at the outset of Deuteronomy. The whole book is written like a legal document reciting and renewing the covenant between God and the people. And so today we get to the meaty part, the actual renewal. The words might not seem much, but just imagine the significance of v10. We have seen throughout our reading of the Old Testament what it is to be in the presence of the Lord. People couldn't see his face, Moses had to be hidden in the cleft of a rock and he had to go up the mountain alone and to the tent alone to talk to God. The ark of the covenant was the presence of God and if people touched that they died. And whenever it was in camp it was in the Holy of Holies where one man was allowed to go. We may know that god is everywhere, and always with us, but this was their understanding of the presence of God. And in v10, they are all in the presence of the Lord. This was a significant moment for them and we shouldn't underestimate it.
Within our own church we have a similar significant moment when we renew our covenant with God. We stand before him, acknowledge those times when we have stepped and turned away from him and then we make the promise once more:
"I am no longer my own but yours.
Put me to what you will,
rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing,
put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you,
or laid aside for you,
exalted for you,
or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours."
These are really strong words that dedicate our lives to God. Zacchaeus has a similar moment where his encounter with Jesus makes him give all that he has, including his considerable wealth, to the Lord.
The proverbs too, are not just a list of wise sayings. Righteousness (v2), diligent hands (v4) and a wise heart (v8) are all ways that we can live our lives for Christ. Not being lazy, not being foolish but living wholeheartedly for him. It is all part of our covenant relationship with the Lord.
We don't have to wait for the annual covenant service in order to pray the above prayer. Do something awesome today and stand in the presence of the Lord and give of yourself.
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