READING:
One-year plan: Exodus 23-26
Two-year plan: Nehemiah 6:1-7:20, Acts 13:28-41
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They hardly always lived up to their commitments, but the Hebrews in today’s reading at least verbalized the right commitment to the Lord:
- “Moses came and told the people all the commands of the Lord and all the ordinances. Then all the people responded with a single voice, ‘We will do everything that the Lord has commanded.’” (Exo 24:3)
- “He then took the covenant scroll and read it aloud to the people. They responded, ‘We will do and obey all that the Lord has commanded.’” (Exo 24:7)
These words, in fact, reflected prior words of the Hebrews as Moses led them: “After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. Then all the people responded together, ‘We will do all that the Lord has spoken’” (Exo 18:7-8).
We live centuries after Moses and the Hebrews of his day, but consider what these words mean for us today. First, the phrase, “We will do everything” matters. Our commitment should be to do everything God commands. Everything – no matter what that “everything” might be. Everything – even if that “everything” doesn’t fit into our plans. Everything – even if “everything” is costly.
Why should we be willing to do everything? Because it’s the Lord who gives us the commands. He who made all that has been made, who created and has redeemed us, and who reigns eternally has given us His Word. Choosing which of His commands we might obey is not an option.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you doing today all that God has commanded you to do?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, show me any place in my life where I am not fully obedient—and forgive me.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Exodus 27-29
Two-year plan: Nehemiah 7:21-73, Acts 13:42-14:7
MEMORIZATION VERSE (JAN 16-31):
“A person’s steps are established by the Lord, and he takes pleasure in his way.” (Psa 37:23)