READING: Deuteronomy 32-34, Mark 15:26-47
“Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew.”
Deuteronomy 32:2
I have been a pastor for 35+ years and a professor for 20+ years. My world revolves around teaching the Word of God. For the last eight years, I’ve been privileged to serve alongside missionaries as well, preparing them and encouraging them to take the gospel to people who need good news. I know of no higher calling than teaching the Word from any of these seats – and I love this privilege.
You see, I’ve watched the Spirit of God through the Word of God change lives. I’ve seen hurting men find healing. I’ve watched mending come to broken marriages. I’ve heard newborn believers pray passionate prayers to their newfound Father. When teaching and preaching the Word of God result in miracles, it’s hard to want to do anything else. That Word truly is life-giving.
Moses knew that power in speaking the words God called him to speak. In the song of Deuteronomy 32, he first called on all of creation to be his witnesses and then prayed that his teaching would be refreshing and renewing: “Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as the droplets on the fresh grass and as the showers on the herb” (Deut. 32:2). For a people living in a land with little rainfall – and who had been wandering the wilderness for decades – the images must have been powerful. Moses wanted his teaching to saturate the Hebrews, bringing life, growth, and restoration to a people who often drifted in the wrong direction.
That’s my prayer, too, as I teach: that my teaching would be refreshing water to thirsty people. That happens as we always point to the Rock (Deut. 32:4, 15, 18, 30-31), the unchanging foundation of life, through His Word. As Moses understood his words, we must understand the Word God gives us: “For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life” (Deut. 32:47).
The Word we teach is life.
ACTION STEPS:
- Read your Bible reading again, thinking about it as a life-giving gift to you.
- Teach what you learn from God’s Word to someone else today.
PRAYER: “God, let my teaching today be as water to thirsty people.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Joshua 1-3, Mark 16