READING: Deuteronomy 25-27; Luke 3
I fear we often take for granted our relationship with the Lord. It becomes normal, routine, even mundane if we’re not careful – and we forget the miracle and the grace involved in our being the people of God. When I read the covenant summary between God and the Hebrews in Deuteronomy 26, I recall again this gift:
“The Lord your God is commanding you this day to follow these statutes and ordinances. Follow them carefully with all your heart and all your soul. Today you have affirmed that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in his ways, keep his statutes, commands, and ordinances, and obey him.And today the Lord has affirmed that you are his own possession as he promised you, that you are to keep all his commands, that he will elevate you to praise, fame, and glory above all the nations he has made, and that you will be a holy people to the Lord your God as he promised.” (Deut 26:16-19)
God demanded that His people follow His commands with all their being, and they affirmed that they would live up to that standard. They would obey Him. At the same time, the Lord affirmed His commitment to them—He was the “Lord your God” who viewed His people as His own possession, and they would be His holy people. Together, God and His people affirmed their commitment to each other.
Today, I commit myself to follow Him fully—and I’m deeply grateful for His allowing me to be His possession.
PRAYER: “God, I can only thank You and praise You today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Deuteronomy 28; Luke 4:1-30