Victory in Christ

In this section of scripture we read very specific laws from God.  These Old Testament laws were made obsolete by our Savior on the cross.  “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-14)  In the verses immediately prior to these we see how we can be joined with Him in His burial and resurrection.  “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:11-12)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 24-26

When His people went to battle and were doing His will, God was with them.  “And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’” (Deuteronomy 20:2-4)  If we, like the Israelites, follow His commands God continues to be here for us every day no matter what happens.  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah” (Psalm 46:1-3)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 21-23

God allowed His people to appoint a king like the nations around them, but He gave specific instructions for the king to follow.  Part of those instructions involved how to handle God’s words.  “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.” (Deuteronomy 17:18-20)  Our Heavenly Father may not speak to us today in miraculous form, but His Written Word is just as powerful.  “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)  It is up to us to use His Word to direct our lives like He commanded those kings to do.

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 17-20

Part of God’s command to the Israelite people was how they would handle those who were less fortunate.  “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:11)  We can read some Proverbs that also let us know God’s feeling toward those who share their blessings.  “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17)  “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)  According to Jesus, any help given to those in need is help given to our Savior himself.  “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:37-40)

Today’s reading: Deuteronomy 14-16

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