Devotion Thoughts - 06/04/2011

Deut 29:1-29


In this additional covenant with the Israelites when at Moab (the first was at Horeb), Moses starts off by reminding them of God's great deliverance from Egypt, providing for them through the forty years of wandering, victory in battles and their imminent crossing over into the Promised Land. Now he tells them that they must enter into a 'sworn covenant' (v.12) with God. This is a one-sided covenant in that, while there is a higher power (God) that we can swear by, there is no higher power than God, Who must swear by Himself! And, although the covenant is 'one-sided' it is a covenant that will benefit Israel in every way with the usual proviso that they honour God, not just overtly, but also covertly.


In the New Testament we find that God has made just such a covenant with every person who will take advantage of it with heart and soul and mind and strength and become one of His obedient believers whose sins have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. It is not only in one verse but in many, but I have selected just two to show what I mean. Bearing in mind that God is Almighty, and nothing is impossible for Him; He therefore has the power to do far more than we could ever ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). So here's one of the verses of the, again one-sided, covenant God has made with us:


'Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then everything you have NEED of in life [including everlasting life] will be given to you'

That's a great promise! Here's my favourite:


'For God loved the world [man] so much that He gave His only Son [to die on the cross for our sins] so that whoever believes in Him shall not die [spiritually] but shall enjoy everlasting life [in God's Kingdom]'

You can't ask for better than that ... ever!


Deut 30:1-20


What if Israel screwed up and God had to punish them, even to the point of sending them into captivity in other nations (which did happen)? Well, there is a way back to God: they had to confess that they had sinned and turn away from a life of sin (very important). God would then forgive them and restore them to fellowship with him again. As always, the key to receiving God's blessings is to do what He wants, which translates into living a holy life.


The Apostle John wrote a verse that sums up what God wanted of Israel. The verse is found in his first letter, chapter one, and verse 9:


'If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness'.

Note the 'all'. Think about this: far from being a nasty accuser (that's Satan's job) our Father God WANTS to forgive all who sincerely repent of their sins and want to sin no more!


Why wait? Fellowship with God can be yours - the sooner the better!


Luke 11:37-54


Jesus was never one for tokenism. The basic lesson He teaches here is that having a clean body externally will never get us into heaven if we are full of vileness in our spirits. Also, doing visible acts that give others the impression that we live holy lives will not fool God, Who looks upon what is in our hearts; bad attitudes will not get past Him.


The scribes and Pharisees refused to view themselves in the light of what Jesus said about them; what He said was, in any case, based on the laws from Moses which they were supposed to live by.


Nowadays, with a better understanding of God's commandments, I am only too willing to have the Holy Spirit (and friends and family) point out spiritual shortcomings in me. There is no way I want to fall short of what He wants of me. Besides, He has offered to help me get it right.


Luke 12:1-7


Jesus tells the disciples that one day (Judgment) everything - good, bad, and ugly - about every person who ever lived will be revealed. On that day the wrath of God will be poured out on those who rejected Him and His Son, Jesus. Man cannot hurt a dead body, but God can throw that same dead person into hell. Jesus then portrays the loving side of His Father in verses 6 and 7, encouraging His hearers to fear God and be blessed by Him, rather than be rejected by Him forever. That makes a whole lot of sense!


Psalm 78:1-31


Asaph states that he is sharing matters that will help coming generations in Israel to know about God, His mighty deeds, His covenant with Jacob, and why they should set their hopes in Him. As always, he stresses that it is vital to keep the commandments of God in order to enjoy His blessings. He reminds the people that those who rebelled in the desert journeyings, who did not obey God, who doubted Him despite seeing His great miracles, were punished.


If we believe the Bible is God's word to us then we must take it to heart and obey whatever God says we must do. That is His way of blessing.


Prov 12:19-20


Here is a hint of what will happen at the Judgment. Those who choose to lie and deceive will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:15) where they will never again be heard by those dwelling in God's Kingdom. As for the righteous who always speak truth and seek after peace, they will be using their lips in Glory to praise God. They will 'endure forever', sharing the joy of all believers as they glorify Him forever. (Rev 7:15-17).

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