Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 9–10; Psalm 130

“Today you are about to cross the Jordan River…But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them. He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer them and drive them out, just as the Lord has promised.” — Deuteronomy 9:1,3

GOD WILL CROSS OVER AHEAD OF YOU.

It is because of God’s grace that the people of Israel experienced victory over their enemies, not because of their own righteousness. It is because of God’s undeserved favor in our lives that we experience His blessings, not because of anything we have done to earn His love. I am overwhelmed with gratitude this morning that God crosses over ahead of us, that He allows us to experience His presence, that He sets out a road for us to follow. I will daily choose to love Him, serve Him and obey Him.

“After the Lord your God has done this for you, don’t say in your hearts, ‘The Lord has given us this land because we are such good people!’ No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way. It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The Lord your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. You must recognize that the Lord your God is not giving you this land because you are good, for you are not – you are a stubborn people.” – Deuteronomy 9:3-6

WE DO NOT DESERVE THE GRACE OF GOD IN OUR LIVES, YET HE FORGIVES US AND LEADS US FROM THE WILDERNESS TO ALL HE HAS PROMISED US.

Moses reminded God’s people of how angry they had made the Lord when they rebelled against him. He told them the story again of how they had melted down their gold and made a calf to worship, while Moses was on the mountain receiving instructions from God. When Moses pleaded with God to forgive His people once again, He chose to give them another chance — another pair of tablets with the ten commandments written on them. They had another opportunity to get it right, so Moses imparted wisdom to them before they started this new chapter in history.

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.” – Deuteronomy 10:12-13

Live out your faith. Let your surrender show through your obedience to all that God wants to do in you and through you. Ask the Lord to help you love him and serve him with ALL of your heart and soul!

THE LORD CHOSE YOU. CHANGE YOUR HEARTS AND STOP BEING STUBBORN.

“For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing. So you, too, must show love to foreigners, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. You must fear the Lord your God and worship him and cling to him. Your oaths must be in his name alone. He alone is your God, the only one who is worthy of your praise, the one who has done these mighty miracles that you have seen with your own eyes. When your ancestors went down into Egypt, there were only seventy of them. But now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky!” – Deuteronomy 10:17-22

Just as Jesus taught the crowds of people in Jerusalem, Moses spoke a message of love to the Israelites before they crossed the Jordan River. Love God by loving others. Express your covenant relationship with God through your generous actions to those around you. Do not just let go of sin; cling to the Lord your God. God has brought you to this moment, now follow his lead — go where He tells you to go and do what He tells you to do.

FOLLOW THE ROAD SET FOR YOU.

Father God, I cannot help but smile as I think of your goodness! My heart is overflowing with all you have done! Thank you for being a generous God, even when we fail and struggle. Lord, thank you for the privilege to be called to holiness, to be set apart for your glory and for your excellence. We feast in your presence this morning as we rejoice in all you have accomplished! Fill us with your strength and your righteousness today, we pray.

Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you.
I am counting on the Lord;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.
I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
O Israel, hope in the Lord;
for with the Lord there is unfailing love.
His redemption overflows.
He himself will redeem Israel
from every kind of sin. – Psalm 130:3-8

Lord, we take this time to pray for our country. We know we are not a nation that deserves your blessings. Please forgive us for our hardheadedness and cut away the thick calluses of our stubbornness. Help us to find a balance between protecting our freedoms and protecting our country. Help us to always be a refuge for those in need, to be compassionate towards ALL people. You are a God immense and powerful and awesome, taking loving care of all your children. Give us hearts that extend that same love to one another, treating foreigners with the same loving care we receive from you. Amen.