July 6 -- "Lay it to Your Heart"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 4:25-49

"Lay it to Your Heart"

As Moses nears the end of his ministry, he pauses to give the Israelites an extremely important exhortation: take what you’ve learned about the LORD from me and “lay it to your heart.”  He tells them to take it to heart that God is in Heaven above; God is on Earth below; and He’s the only God there is.  He has no rival.  He has no equal.  Now and forever, God You reign.

Moses realizes he won’t be around much longer.  The people won’t be able to rely on him for their faith.  He won’t be the one to take their prayers to God.  It is now imperative that they take the things he has taught them and make sure the truth settles deep within each of their hearts.

Moses urges the Jews to take the truths they have been taught and turn them into convictions.  He tells them not to just “know” the truth about God, nor even to simply "believe" the truth, but to “lay it to your heart.” This phrase denotes the idea of holding a deeply held conviction deep in their very soul. He insists that God’s people must submerge their hearts so deeply into God’s truth such that it transforms them at the very core of their being. 

He is not talking about simply accepting a certain fact, or facts, about the LORD.  He is talking about a passionate conviction so deeply held that it becomes the very essence of who they are.  Know His truth.  Lay it in your heart.  Bury it so deeply that it merges with your spirit and permeates who you are. 

There comes a time in all of our lives, when we can no longer depend on the faith and convictions of others.  We must “know” the LORD for ourselves and take His truths and lay them so deeply into our hearts that they become our unbending convictions.  And, like Moses, I would exhort you today to know this well, and take it to heart right now: God is in Heaven above; God is on Earth below: He’s the only God there is.  

The Apostle Paul urges the same in Colossians 3:16, where he says to “Let the word of Christ have its home within you dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being.” [AMP]

July 5 -- "Don't Mess With God's Commands"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-24

"Don't Mess With God's Commands"

The Lord says it is okay to copy His word, to speak it, to tell others about it, but not to change it.

Moses urged God’s people to listen to and to obey the laws of God.  Not to analyze them, criticize them, spiritualize them, compromise them, liberalize them, modernize them, or trivialize them.  They were exhorted to learn His commands, memorize them, and put them into practice.  And never. Ever. Ever to add to, or take away, from God’s words.

It is unnerving how some people like to mess around with the word of God, adding or taking away. Perhaps there is a command or doctrine that they don’t particularly care for, so they ignore it or delete it or twist it to fit their whim.  But that is something that we have been forbidden to do.  We are not to add or to diminish from that which God has declared. This warning is repeated over and over again in Scripture. Proverbs 30:6 says, “Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.”

In the final book of the Bible we read, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)

Every word of the Bible has been written for a Divine reason.  Every command of God is pure.  God has been very precise in the revelation He has given us.  He has told us all we need to live a life pleasing to Him.  And He is very protective of His word. As God is the author, He holds the eternal copyright. He says it is okay to copy it, to speak it, to tell others about it, but not to change it.  Be very careful about this.  Make sure you aren’t listening to those who produce their own version (or perversion) that agrees with their man-made heresy, to lead others astray. And make sure you listen to and obey God’s word, without compromise.  

“Whoever is of God hears the words of God.”  (John 8:47)

July 4 -- "The Person God Uses"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 3

"The Person God Uses"

Moses had been a faithful leader of the Israelites for four decades.  But now it is time to pass on the leadership role to a new person. It is time to choose someone who could take them the rest of the way into the Land that God had promised them.  So, the LORD chooses Joshua, the son of Nun.

Why did God choose Joshua to be Moses’ successor and to lead Israel?  Because he was a person uniquely qualified to do so.

1) God chose Joshua because of his intimate, personal relationship with Himself. In Exodus, we read that Joshua stayed behind in the Tent of Meeting.  In fact, not only did Joshua stay in the Tent, but Scripture says he “would not depart” from it (Exodus 33:11). Joshua was simply spending time in God’s presence to know Him better because the beauty and majesty of God was so compelling that this young leader couldn’t resist soaking and worshiping the One who had obviously captivated his heart.

2) God chose Joshua because of his humble submissiveness, faithfulness and obedience.  Several times in Scripture we read, “So Joshua did as Moses said to him.”  God always chooses the person who is faithful in the day of small things. Someone willing to submit to the lead of others and do so with faithfulness.

3) God chose Joshua because of his faith.  He was willing to stand up for his convictions as was demonstrated in his positive report after spying out the land – “If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us” (Numbers 14:8).  This was not a time for wishy-washy faith.  God chose a man with deeply rooted faith.

4) God chose Joshua because of his know-how. He was an experienced military man.  Israel was about to face some of their harshest battles yet and they needed a man with the know-how to protect the people and defeat the enemy.  The LORD had been preparing Joshua for this his entire life.  Now he was ready.  Long before God calls men and women into ministry, He prepares them to take on that ministry.

5) God chose Joshua because of his reputation with the people. They knew him.  They had seen him in action.  Because of the quality of his character and demonstration of leadership, they had come to trust him.  The people were ready to follow his leadership.

Anyone called to serve the LORD should have the same qualifications as Joshua: a personal relationship with God; faithfulness to serve others; strong, obedient faith; experience and know-how; and the respect of God’s people.  A person like this cannot fail. 

July 3 -- "Remembering the Hand of God"

Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 2 

"Remembering the Hand of God"

It is so easy, when recounting our past experiences, to focus on the hardships and difficulties.  So often, we tell others about how hard it had been to go through a particular circumstance or experience. We love to “sing the blues.” Unfortunately, when we recount our past, we sometimes fail to mention how God saw us through the hard times.  How His hand was upon us and how He fought for us.

In today’s passage, Moses is retelling the story of Israel’s wilderness wanderings.  He doesn’t avoid discussing the hard times: the many days traveling around Mount Seir; the money they had to spend to buy food and water; the difficulty passing through Moab; the battles with other nations; the loss of loved ones who perished in the wilderness; the hunger and thirst they experienced in the wilderness.

But through the whole story, Moses makes it a point to remind the people of God’s blessings along the way.  He tells them, “The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands.” (V7) “These forty years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.” (V7) “The Lord our God gave him [Sihon, king of Heshbon] over to us, and we defeated him.” (v33) “The Lord our God gave all into our hands.” (V37)

It is so important for us also to remember the hand of God upon us during our trials.  Sure, it’s okay to talk of the challenges and difficult chapters you’ve faced in your life.  But when you look back, always look for the hand of God upon your life and how he has brought you through it all.  Remember that the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands.

July 2 -- "The Lord who Fights for Us"

 Today's Reading: Deuteronomy 1

"The Lord who Fights for Us"

The Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land presents amazing illustrations and analogies for the Christian journey. Egypt, the area of bondage, slavery, and hardship is symbolic of the life of the world, slaves to our flesh to Satan; and so it is typical of our old life. 

The Promised Land into which God was bringing them symbolizes the glorious life and victory in the Spirit. The life that God wants you to live, a life of victory, a life of overcoming.

Israel faced battles along their journey. Israel struggled with their "wilderness experience." Israel experienced deep lapses in their faith. Israel could not get to their Promised Land until they put their full reliance upon the Lord and took the Land by faith..

As Israel traveled from slavery to freedom, so we too, as Christ followers, are on a journey from sin-bondage to glorious freedom in Christ.  As Israel faced battles along the way, so we too face many challenges and struggles as we journey through the wilderness.  As Israel struggled in the wilderness, so we too often struggle with periods of unbelief and failure in our lives.  

Ultimately, Israel could not take possession of the Promised Land unless and until they took it by faith.  They had to come to a place where their full reliance was upon the LORD.  So, we too must place our full reliance upon God if we are to get out of our wilderness experience and take the land of victory God has promised.

The good news is that we don’t have to fight for ourselves.  The Lord Himself will fight for us.  Just as He promised Israel that He would “go before them” and “fight for them,” so we too have this same great promise from God through Jesus Christ. One notable passage that emphasizes God's role in fighting for us is found in Romans 8:31 (ESV), which says, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" This verse reminds us that if God is on our side, nothing and no one can ultimately stand against us. It assures us of God's unwavering support and protection in our lives.

Has God released you from slavery?  Have you been bogged down in a “wilderness experience?”  Be of good cheer!  Your faith in God can deliver you into the Promised Land of spiritual victory.  Simply repudiate your unbelief and place your full reliance upon Him.  He will go before you and He will fight on your behalf!

July 1 -- "Doing as the Lord Commanded"

 Today's Reading: Numbers 36

"Doing as the Lord Commanded"

Zelophedad was blessed with five daughters.  He had no sons, which caused a bit of a problem for the girls.  The LORD had commanded that the land of Israel be divided (apportioned) among the twelve tribes and that whenever the father of a family died, his land was to be left to his sons.  In this way, the land would always remain within the same tribe.

But the daughters of Zelophedad felt that they had been left out.  What if dad dies and has no sons?  Who gets the land then?  So, they went to Moses to request equal rights for women.  They felt that they should inherit their father’s land.  So, Moses took their issue to the LORD, and the LORD agreed, "Those girls are right. They shouldn't be cut off just because they're girls, so give them the inheritance too within the land.”

Problem solved, right?  Well, not exactly.  As problems go, one thing led to another. Now some of the men came to Moses confused about the issue.  What if these girls marry guys from a different tribe than their own? Then, when everything reverts back to the original ownership, it means that the part that is allotted to one tribe will also be given partially to another tribe.  This would result in the criss-crossing the boundaries of each tribe and the inability to maintain the apportionment the LORD had commanded.

Once again, Moses took the issue to the LORD to get resolved.  And the LORD gave the solution, “Make sure the girls marry only within their own tribe.”  That became the law of the land, in order to have the inheritance, the women had to marry within the tribe that they were from so their land wouldn't be divided between the tribes.

Notice the girls’ response… “The daughters of Zelophedad DID as the LORD commanded Moses.”  They willingly accepted the LORD’s solution and obeyed Him.  What a blessing when we hear the things God has commanded and willingly obey Him.  They trusted God’s wisdom.  They trusted God’s love.  And they obeyed. May we do the same.

June 30 -- "Safe Haven"

 Today's Reading: Numbers 35

"Safe Haven"

In Numbers 35, God establishes a provision of justice and mercy for the Israelites by introducing the concept of cities of refuge. These cities were designated as safe havens, places where individuals who unintentionally caused the death of another could find protection from vengeance or wrongful punishment. God's design of the cities of refuge reveals His compassionate nature, ensuring that even in the midst of judgment, His mercy prevails.

In our journey through life, we may find ourselves in situations where unintended harm or consequences occur. These cities of refuge serve as a powerful illustration of God's desire to provide a place of safety and restoration for us. Just as He established physical cities for the Israelites, He has provided a spiritual refuge for us through Jesus Christ, our Safe Haven.

When we hurt others, whether through our words, actions, or choices, it is crucial to remember that God offers us forgiveness and a safe place to find solace and healing. It is in these moments that we are called to seek refuge in Him, confessing our mistakes, and finding comfort in His arms.

In the cities of refuge, we find not only protection but also restoration and redemption. As we walk in God's forgiveness and extend it to others, we will experience the beauty of His transformative work in our lives. Let us live as people who exemplify the grace and mercy we have received, pointing others to the ultimate refuge found in Christ alone.

Take a moment and offer the following prayer: “Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Refuge and Safe Haven in times of trouble. Teach us to run to You when we cause harm, finding forgiveness and healing in Your presence. Help us extend Your grace to others, showing them the love and compassion that You have shown us. In Jesus' name, Amen."