Victory in Christ

God gave specific instructions that He wanted His people to follow.  “These are the statutes and rules that you shall be careful to do in the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth.” (Deuteronomy 12:1)  At the end of those instructions being told, it was reiterated that He was serious about them following His instructions.  “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32)  The need for animal sacrifices ended with the one true sacrifice of our Savior, but God’s words have been preserved for a purpose.  “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 11-13

God has always made clear the requirements of His people. “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) Jesus spoke similar words when asked what is the greatest commandment. “Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40) It is up to us to obey these commandments if we are to be children of His.

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 9-10

Moses warned the people to not let their riches cause them to become arrogant.  “Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’  You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18)  In Proverbs we read another statement about letting money have power over our lives.  “Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:7-9)  No matter what good things we have, James says they all originated from one source.  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 7-8

After Moses reminded the Israelites of the Ten Commandments, he then shared with them one more command.  “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)  This is similar to the answer Jesus gave to the Pharisees when one of them ask Him what was the great commandment.  “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)  If we know God, it is said that we will love one another.  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)  And that is also the way people can tell if we are disciples of His.  “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 4-6

As the Israelites were taking over the promised land, Moses reminded Joshua how they were able to accomplish this great feat.  “You shall not fear them, for it is the LORD your God who fights for you.” (Deuteronomy 3:22)  When some seemed to doubt Jesus’ power to raise a young girl from the dead, He also encouraged them to not be afraid.  “But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’” (Mark 5:36)  Just like David expressed in that famous 23rd Psalm, we can be assured that if we walk in the Lord’s path He will be with us always.  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 1-3

In Numbers 35 we read of God’s dwelling place among His people. “Therefore do not defile the land which you inhabit, in the midst of which I dwell; for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.’ ” (Numbers 35:34) Even though we can’t see Him, we have a way for Him to dwell with us even today. “No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” (1 John 4:12-13) 

Today’s reading: Numbers 35-36

When God let the Israelites go into the promised land, He commanded them what to do about the people already living there.  “then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places.” (Numbers 33:52)  He knew what bad influences could do to His people.  Paul also warned the Corinthians about this same thing.  “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33)  The Psalmist reminds us that we should not only avoid evil, but we should fill our lives with good.  “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.” (Psalms 1:1-4)

Today’s reading: Numbers 33-34

The people of Reuben and of Gad desired to take their land before they crossed the Jordan.  “But Moses said to the people of Gad and to the people of Reuben, ‘Shall your brothers go to the war while you sit here?’” (Numbers 32:6)  Just like was expected of them, we are to help out those who are in need.  “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16)  Paul made a similar statement in his letter to the Galatians.  “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Today’s reading: Numbers 31-32

The Old Law required many very specific offerings to be made. One requirement was consistent: “Be sure they are without blemish…” (Numbers 28:31) The One who was sacrificed for us was completely perfect and without any blemish! “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:19) 

Today’s reading: Numbers 28-30

Moses received a rather severe punishment for not following God’s command.  “The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)” (Numbers 27:12-14)  Our punishment for sin would be even more severe without the saving power of the blood of our Savior.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Today’s reading: Numbers 26-27