July 21 -- "Don't Look Away"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 22

"Don't Look Away"

In the first part of chapter 22, Moses gives a collection of brief exhortations about day-to-day living.  He urges the people to act in such a way that is caring and helpful to those around them.  In our culture, these short exhortations might fall under the heading of “Good Samaritan Laws.”  The gist of most of these verses is “don’t look away” when you see your fellow human being in need.

If you see someone’s ox or sheep wandering off loose, don’t look the other way as if you didn’t see it. Return it promptly.  If you see your friend’s donkey or ox injured along the road, don’t look the other way. Help him get it up and on its way.  If its owner does not live nearby or you don’t know who the owner is, take it to your place and keep it until the owner comes looking for it. Then you must return it. 

Jesus capitalized on this idea of helping others in Luke 10 when He taught us about the man who had been beaten by robbers and left seriously injured on the side of the road.  In this illustration, Jesus first points out two people who looked the other way.  First, a priest, followed by a Levite.  These two men knew better.  They were alleged adherents to the Law of Moses, but when it came down to practical application of God’s commands, they simply turned their head and walked on by.  Finally, a Samaritan came along, and in a real practical way helped restore this victim.

The whole idea of these verses is: don’t ignore the needs of others.  You are repeatedly called upon in Scripture to love your neighbor as yourself.  And this love for your neighbor comes through in several concrete, practical actions.

How do you react when you see someone in need?  Perhaps a homeless person freezing in the cold.  Or a neighbor who just lost his job and might lose his home.  Or your friend who is deeply saddened by the grief of loss.  Buried deep within our human nature is the tendency to “look away”  And then we try to rationalize our lack of care by telling ourself that “I can’t solve all the world’s problems.”

You don’t have to solve all the world’s problems.  Just return someone’s donkey. Or give them a warm jacket.  Or offer financial support.  Or walk with them in their time of need.  It really doesn’t take much to love your neighbor, so do it.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our natural human tendency to ignore the needs of others.  Whatever you do, don’t look away.

July 20 -- "He Became Our Curse"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 21

"He Became Our Curse"

In Israel, any person who was executed for breaking God’s law was considered as bearing a “curse” in his body. A curse is the opposite of a blessing: a blessing is a pronouncement of good fortune because one participates in God's plans and promises, a curse is a pronouncement of ill fortune because one opposes God's plans. 

The word “cursed” means something that is despised, something that is devoted to destruction, something that is doomed.  That's what it means to be cursed.  To be cursed by God means that you are set for doom or destruction. 

Since you and I have broken God’s law, all of us are considered as guilty before God and, as a result, we bear a curse in our body. We are doomed.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Our sin must be punished by the death penalty.  We all have been set for doom and destruction.  God has pronounced His curse upon sinful humanity.

But wait! There's more! Yes, all have sinned. Except one!  Jesus broke none of God’s laws.  He lived a sinless life.  “You know that He [Jesus] appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” (1 John 3:5)  Jesus is the one and only Person who is eligible to walk away from this life without God’s pronouncement of a curse upon Him.  He alone is entitled to participate in God’s blessings and eternal life.

That’s why His death upon the cross was so extraordinary.  For our sake God chose to place our curse upon the Sinless One.  “He made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Christ’s death on the cross was the clear sign to all that He bore the curse of God. He suffered the death penalty on behalf of the law-breakers, so that all who believe in him might escape the law’s curse.  “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree,’ so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13)

When Jesus was nailed to the cross: He became a curse. And at the same time dissolved our curse. And now, because of that, the air is cleared and we can see that God’s blessing of eternal life is present and available for anyone who believes. We are all able to receive God’s life, his Spirit, in and with us by believing in the One who took our death penalty and our curse.

July 19 -- "Call Your First Witness"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 19 & 20

"Call Your First Witness"

God’s laws are true and so practical and real-world.  Here Moses gives God’s laws regarding witnesses. Of primary importance under these laws is that nothing shall be decided upon the testimony of a single witness.  The purpose of this law was to protect people from false accusations.  If you had an antagonist who accused you of a sin or a crime, their accusation would not stand unless others (two or three) corroborated their testimony as eyewitnesses. 

In chapter 5 of John’s Gospel, Jesus was accused of giving false testimony about Himself because He did not have the required two-or-three others to support His claims.  He “was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18).

Jesus confirmed God’s law regarding witnesses when He said “If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.” (John 5:31)  But then He went on to invoke not two, not three – but four – witnesses to support His claims:   John the Baptist, the works/miracles He performed, God the Father, and their own Scriptures.

Call your first witness: John the Baptist.  John said that Jesus was greater than himself and that he was the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. John corroborated Jesus’ claims, but the religious leaders refused to listen.

Witness number two: The powerful works of Jesus.  He had demonstrated His Divine power right in front of their eyes when He went around doing good, casting out demons, and healing all kinds of diseases and infirmities. But the religious leaders refused to see.

Witness number three:  God Himself.  “And the Father who sent me has Himself borne witness about me.”  Here, Jesus is referring to that time a voice came out of the heavens and said, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (Mark 1:11)  But the religious leaders refused to hear.

Witness number four: The Scriptures.  Jesus said to the religious leaders, “you search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.” (John 5:39)  Jesus tells these religious leaders to “read your own Bibles!”  In the pages of the Scriptures you will discover the truth about who I am.  Tragically, these religious leaders failed to see the clear truth in their very own Bibles proving that if someone’s heart is so hardened by sin and pride, the volume of witnesses will not matter. 

Jesus was, indeed, the very Son of God he claimed to be.  Just ask the witnesses.

July 18 -- "Listen to Him"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 18

"Listen to Him"

Are you listening to “the Prophet?”  In today’s passage, Moses gives the people the promise of a coming One – a Prophet who is to come in the future.  This is a prophetic statement about the future coming of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.  Moses exhorts the people that when He comes, they must listen to Him.

The Christian life revolves around listening to Jesus. Repeatedly in Scripture, we are exhorted to listen to Him. At Jesus’s transfiguration, a voice came out of the cloud saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35).  Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)

Sadly, many Christians struggle with a common disorder known as “selective hearing.” We hear what we want to hear.  We love to listen to Him when He talks to us about love and grace and forgiveness.  But we turn deaf when He talks to us about repentance and obedience and sacrifice.  It is critical that we listen – really listen – to everything Jesus says to us and take action on the things He tells us.

But how can you listen to Him?  Does He speak to your ears in an audible voice?  Not usually (although He could).  There are three main ways that Jesus speaks to you: (1) the “visual channel” - through Scripture; (2) the “auditory channel” - through godly counsel and teaching; and (3) the “heart channel” -through the still, small voice of His Spirit communicating with your spirit.  Make sure you are listening through all three channels.

Start by reading your Bible.  As you read, ask God to speak to you directly from His word by His Spirit – to illuminate your understanding of His word. When you do, you will sense Jesus speaking to you.  When you need wisdom or direction - seek the counsel and advice of your Christian friends, pastors, and leaders. There is wisdom in the abundance of counselors.  Finally, be sure to spend quiet time tuned to the heart channel.  Visit with Him each and every day so you can hear His voice speaking directly to your heart.  It is to Him you shall listen.  And, when you hear, make sure you obey.

July 17 -- "The King God Chooses"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 17

"The King God Chooses"

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."  This quote, often attributed to William Shakespeare's play Henry IV, Part 2, highlights the burdens and responsibilities that come with being a ruler. It suggests that the position of a king or ruler is filled with challenges, anxieties, and constant pressure.

This entire section predicts that the day will come when the Israelites will opt-out of God’s “administration” and opt for a human king.  Although God had expressed that He wanted to walk among them, and be with them, and be their King, He acknowledges here that one day they will ask for a human king, like the other nations have.  Even though having a human king is not God’s “perfect will” for the nation, the LORD makes sure that when that day comes (and it will - see 1 Samuel 8) they have some guidelines on who they choose to put in power.

Some of these rules include: Israeli citizenship - their future king must be a fellow Israelite, not a foreigner. He must not be one who “multiplies horses” for himself or encourages others to do so.  He must be a faithful husband to his wife – one who does not take many wives for himself.  And, he must not be greedy for wealth – multiplying “silver and gold for himself.”

Most importantly, their future king must be the one “whom the LORD your God chooses.”  This is, by far, the most important criteria for selection of their king.  And, it is the most important criteria for us as we choose those who will be elected to public office.  Our duty is not to choose.  Our duty is to discern which candidate God has chosen. But how can we do that?  Well, most importantly we must prayerfully consider our choice and ask God to guide us.

In a practical sense, the leaders we choose must express an ideology that is aligned with Biblical principles and who will promote righteousness in our nation.  No one who follows Jesus should knowingly vote for anyone who stands for values, actions, or goals that directly oppose God’s will.  The leaders we elect should be men or women who display godly character and values and who will fight evil and promote good. 

Be careful to avoid choosing your leaders based on personality, or handsomeness, or oratory skills, or popularity. Choose the person whom the LORD your God chooses.  And always remember, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34)

July 16 -- "Blinded By Bribes"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 16

"Blinded By Bribes"

Moses instructs the Israelites to appoint judges and officers, organized by tribes, in all the towns the LORD is giving them. But, make sure you appoint “just” judges, a word that means “to act according to what is morally right and fair” – even when others disagree with their rulings. The judges they appoint are to make their rulings fairly and honestly.

He counsels these judges to make sure they avoid “perverting justice.”  In other words, don’t twist the law.  It is tragic that some judges believe that they must occasionally lie or twist or cheat in order to achieve the legal outcomes that they desire. But judges have a solemn and sacred responsibility to judge objectively and fairly.  They do not have the freedom to decide the case according to their own will or desires or political agenda.  When a judge does this, it is called subversion.  Jesus addressed this issue in John 7:24 when He said, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Judges should never play favorites or take a bribe.  Moses tells the people that a bribe blinds even a wise person; it undermines the intentions of the best of people.

On a personal level, we all need to beware of “bribes” that are offered to us to persuade us to compromise our witness for Christ.  I’m not talking about a financial bribe, but something much more sinister.  A “bribe” from our fleshly nature (also known as “the pride of life”).  Our flesh is constantly trying to bribe us by offering “fulfillment” or “admiration” or “enjoyment” from a source contrary to God’s word.  An example of this might be when you are tempted to hide your Christian faith from your co-workers because you’ve been offered the enticement of their “admiration” and “acceptance.”  Be very careful to avoid twisting the truth just so you can benefit from the accolades of others. This kind of bribe blinds even a wise person; it undermines the intentions of the best of people.

You, like the judges of Israel have a solemn and sacred duty to remain true to God’s word and to act according to what is morally right and fair.

July 15 -- "Open Wide Your Hand"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 15

"Open Wide Your Hand"

Jesus often quoted from Scripture during His ministry here on earth.  Most often, He quoted from the Book of Deuteronomy.  By one count, He is recorded as quoting Deuteronomy 37 times in the Gospels.  During His wilderness temptations, each of His Scripture quotations was from Deuteronomy – “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone” (8:3) – “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (6:16) – “It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (6:13).

In Matthew 26, when Jesus was being anointed at Bethany, He quoted today’s key verse – or at least the first half of it. When Jesus said, “You always have the poor with you,” He was not trying to tell the disciples that they had no obligation to care for the poor.  In fact, He was telling them just the opposite.  By quoting the first half of Deuteronomy 15:11, He was nudging them to remember the entire verse which tells them they must “open wide your hand” to the poor and needy.

When confronted with poverty, the easy response is to draw back.  In fact, some people quote Matthew 26 by saying “Oh well, it’s not my job, after all we’ll always have the poor among us.”  But this response is not consistent with Jesus’ teaching.  So, how do you respond when you are confronted with the needy?  Do you withdraw and tell yourself that “poverty is too big of a problem”?

The truth is that God’s people are commanded (and yes, it’s a command and not a recommendation) to open wide their hand to those in need.  As people of faith, we are the ones commanded to live generously. It’s up to us to care for the poor. We are the ones called to intervene on behalf of those who need our help.

Who are the poor in your community? Have you been living with open or closed hands? If you’ve been tight-fisted, ask the Lord to forgive you and begin today to live with generosity and open handedness.  Ask Him to show you how to bless others with the resources you’ve been given. Pray that all of your actions and thoughts toward the poor in your community become a reflection of God’s love and care.