Deuteronomy 26:1-29:1
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Later this year in the One Year Bible when we read Galatians, you'll note that Paul powerfully references today's readings in Deuteronomy chapter 27 verse 26: "'Cursed is anyone who does not affirm and obey the terms of these instructions.' And all the people will reply, 'Amen.'" One of the best things we can ever do when studying the Bible is simply let Scripture interpret Scripture. So here we go on Galatians chapter 3 verses 10 through 12: "But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law." So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, "It is through obeying the law that a person has life."" How do these verses from Galatians speak to you? Do you agree that we cannot be made right with God by trying to keep the law? Do you think the way of faith is very different from the way of law?
Let me continue on with a few more verses here from Galatians chapter 10, continuing with verses 13 and 14: "But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith." Has Jesus rescued you from the curse pronounced by the law? Do you believe that Jesus took upon himself the curse for your wrongdoing? Have you received the promised Holy Spirit through faith?
Today in Deuteronomy chapter 26 verses 1 & 2 we read about the offering of first fruits: "When you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession and you have conquered it and settled there, put some of the first produce from each harvest into a basket and bring it to the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored."
I love the blessings for obedience that open up our Deuteronomy chapter 28 readings today! I actually first heard these read at a wedding several years back. The best man in the wedding read these verses as a blessing to the bride & groom. Somehow I missed the "obedience" to God's commands part of the blessing... Obedience is quite a word I think for Christians to consider. I'm not sure that it is a popular word for us sometimes. I do believe that we are called to obedience as followers of Jesus. Jesus himself was of course obedient - obedient even to death on a cross. Is there an area of your life where you feel God might be calling you to obedience? Will you obey? Below is a little obedience humor for you... :)
Worship Video: Today's readings in Deuteronomy reminded me of Switchfoot's song "Always:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im584gZ_CWU
Do you belong to God? Click here for Always!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth." Deuteronomy 28:1 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you fully obey the LORD your God. Pray that you carefully follow Jesus' teachings.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
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