Monday, March 28, 2011

Monday - March 28 - Jody

Today's reading from the Chronological OT/NT Reading Plan is Deuteronomy 11-13, Luke 4:31-44

Deuteronomy 11:
God is reminding the Israelites that their children "were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the Lord your God"(2) and that they had not witnessed "the signs he performed and the things he did in the heart of Egypt, both to Pharoh king of Egypt and to his whole country" (3).  God is making sure that the Israelites share their stories of hardship and deliverance so their children can walk in the promised land fully knowing how they got there.

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 11:18-19

This passage is a reminder to us just as God reminded the Israelite - impress the stories of our faith journeys onto the hearts of our children. Share our hardships and deliverance by our Father with our children so they can walk in the promised land fully knowing how they got there as well. Teach our children, in every moment, the words God has shared with us in His word that provide the blessings in our life.

Deuteronomy 12:
I love how God instructs the Israelites to create The One Place of Worship. What a great illustration for us in todays culture. We have so many independant "church at home" options if we don't feel like going to church. We can watch church on TV, download a sermon from anywhere in the world, maybe watch a DVD bible study series. Once the Israilites reach the promised land God says "But you are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts..."(5,6) Just as God instructs the Israelites to seek out a special dwelling to go specifically to worship him together and glorify him, I believe this is something we need to take to heart as well. I do love the opportunity that modern technology offers us in learning online and through other media outlets, I just caution us to not forget the importance and the direction from God to see out The One Place of Worship.

I just had to add one more reference from the Deuteronomy passages:
"See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it". I love that verse. It's simple really, like Tammy said yesterday - just do what I say. Don't overcomplicate it. Simply in theory, yet our humaness makes it so hard to implement consistently!

What stood out for me in the Luke 4 reading today was Jesus' grueling schedule! He was in the body of a human man. No supernatural - "don't need to rest" - powers, yet he went from town to town, day after day, healing the bodies and hearts of his fellow man. Absorbing their hurt, saving their souls. How emotional and tiring for him.
"When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one he healed them" (vs 40 emphasis mine). The chapter ends with Jesus seeking out a solitary place and I would imagine, recharge himself and seek direction from his Father. The people find him in this place and try to keep him there with them. His reply "I must preach the good news of the kingdon of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent" (43). Through it all, Jesus stayed focused on why he was sent to earth. He looked past his human exhaustion, his tired body and the pressure of the people around him and simply looked back to why he was sent and obeyed.

Father God, help me to always go back to the simple truth of what you have called me to do. Help me to move past my human response, my human exhaustion and weaknesses and find my strength simply in solitude with you. And as I move in the directions you give, remind me to share my journey with the generations that follow me. Help them to learn from my mistakes and walk in the promised land in obedience and knowledge. Amen.


Tomorrow's passage: Deuteronomy 14-16, Luke 5:1-16

3 comments:

Tammy said...

If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Kinda the theme of today's readings. Such an important reminder to impress the things we have learned on our children's hearts. Of course, they will have to learn a lot of things themselves, but listening to our stories will help.

Tammy said...

And I do love the reminder here and in the NT, not to forget the importance of meeting together with fellow believers in a place of worship. Church is important!

Pamela said...

A great reminder that worshipping and growing with other believers is so important for our walk with God.