Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20 ~ Luke 7:36-8:3 ~ Psalm 69:1-18 ~ Proverbs 12:1
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Old Testament - Today in Deuteronomy chapter 7, the New Living Translation has the chapter titled "The Privilege of Holiness." Keep in mind that these chapter headings - or headings within sections of chapters - are not Biblical text. They are not from the original manuscripts, but are basically brief summaries from the viewpoint of modern-day translators. Generally speaking though, you can trust what they are telling you - but just remember, they're not Biblical text. All this to say, I was intrigued by this chapter's title in today's readings. Israel was indeed privileged and called to holiness. I think an important for us to keep in mind is that in the Old Testament, Israel was God's chosen people. So, yes, we do read in this chapter and future OT chapters God favoring Israel over all other nations. However, keep three things in mind. One, Israel is the people of God's covenant going to back to Abraham and God is just forming Israel as a nation. Two, the other nations at that time were immersed in sin and idolatry to other gods. Three, through Jesus' ministry, God indeed shows love toward all nations today and wants all nations to be in relationship with him. But, prior to Jesus, we see clearly in this chapter that Israel is, per verse 6: "a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure."
Today in Deuteronomy chapter 8 verse 10 we read: “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.” What a great verse! Many say that it is because of this verse that we traditionally say grace at meal time. Interesting that this verse indicates that the Israelites were to praise God after eating – which, actually, is sometimes how I say grace today now too – when I forget to say grace before eating! :) I think the other thing this verse above gets at is that we humans have a tendency to “forget” God in the good times. In the bad times, maybe we do a decent job of praying to God and trying to stay close to Him. But in the good times, I know that sometimes I can forget Who really blessed me with the good times. I think it is so important for us to remember each and every day this one thing – God has given us everything. Every single good thing we have in our life comes from God. Our family. Our friends. Our physical abilities. Even the very air we breathe. It ALL comes from God. And, while I think it is pleasing to God for us to praise him for these good things – I also think it is ultimately healthy for us to praise God for the good things he has given us. Because, when we truly thank God each and every day for even very simple things – our eyesight, our 12 year old car that still runs fine, etc. etc. – we realize how very blessed we really are, and then I think we have less of a chance of feeling sorry for ourselves. We are blessed! How are you doing on praising God for the good things he has given you in your life? Now that we are in this Easter & Spring season, will you make a conscious effort to really praise and thank God each and every day? Think this might be pleasing to God? Think this might be healthy for you?
New Testament - In Luke chapter 7 today we read about the "immoral" woman who kissed and put perfume on Jesus' feet. Verse 39 is a powerful testament to Jesus' character - "When the Pharisee who was the host saw what was happening and who the woman was, he said to himself, "This proves that Jesus is no prophet. If God had really sent him, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She's a sinner!"" How ironic... this Pharisee thought that Jesus was not sent from God because he let a sinner touch him - when indeed it is this very act that proves that Jesus was sent from God! Jesus loved everyone - and still loves everyone today - and wants to be in relationship with all of us. No matter what this woman's sins were. No matter what our sins were or are. Jesus loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. Like the woman in this story, will we humble ourselves and come before the feet of Jesus? And will we ignore those who might suggest we're not "good enough" to be in relationship with God or Jesus? Remember, Jesus came to call the sinners, the sick - and not the righteous. Let's not act righteous before Jesus, but come to his feet as we really are and worship Him for who he truly is!
Luke chapter 8 readings today are important for us to pay attention to. Oftentimes I think we sometimes think that it was just Jesus and the twelve male disciples cruising around the Holy Land during Jesus' ministry. Today's verses are a great reminder of the involvement of women in Jesus' ministry both by traveling with him and by contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and the twelve! Verses 1 through 3 tell us today - "Not long afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby cities and villages to announce the Good News concerning the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women he had healed and from whom he had cast out evil spirits. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples." Below is the Italian painter Bernardino Luini's "The Conversion of Magdalene", circa 1525. Luini's painting shows Martha, Mary's sister, on the left pointing toward heaven; Mary, to the right, repeats the gesture to indicate that she too will follow Jesus.
Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 7's readings today, titled "Wordless Worship of an Unnamed Woman" is at this link. Commentary on Luke chapter 8's readings today, titled "Ministry, Money and Women" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 69 verse 16 today is such a true statement that maybe we need to be reminded of today - "Answer my prayers, O LORD, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Turn and take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful." God does answer our prayers - perhaps not in the way we "want" Him to, but always in the way that is ultimately best for us and the Kingdom. His unfailing love is wonderful. His mercy is so plentiful. But, yet, somehow I think I sometimes forget all of this. Why? I think I forget about God's love & mercy when I am not praying to him. How about you? Are you needing a reminder today about God's unfailing love and his mercy? Are you praying to God for these very things? Will you allow God to demonstrate both his love and mercy to you today? Will you offer up prayers and allow God to answer in his perfect way?
Proverbs - Wow... Proverbs chapter 12 verse 1 is so to the point and so true. Please meditate on this one - "To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction." Do you love discipline? Do you want to learn? Do you hate correction? What holy discipline might God be bringing to you in your life today? Will you accept God's healing and holy discipline in your life?
Worship God: So much of today's readings reminded me of the fantastic song by MercyMe called "Emmanuel, God With Us." Here's a live version of the song caught on a camcorder. You can still worship to it! :)
Is God with you? Click here to receive Him!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection." Philippians 3:10 NIV
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on Deuteronomy chapter 8 verse 10 above, do you say grace or offer up some sort of prayer of thanksgiving to God at each meal? Why or why not? Do you think it is pleasing to God when we do say a prayer at mealtime? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
Yes it is very interesting that Jesus, who is the Provider of all we need, allowed Himself in His humanity to be materially provided for by this circle of friends. Speaks to the issue of supporting those who have been set apart vocationally for the work of advancing the kingdom of God, and that it's not a 'beggarly' thing to receive support from people because even Jesus set a pattern for this in his itinerant ministry.
Posted by: Luch | March 27, 2009 at 04:29 AM
Today I saw how Jesus used scripture to direct and guide his life. In Deuteronomy 8:3, Moses instructed the Israelites
"man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD".
During Jesus' temptation, he used these verses (Matt 4:4, Luke 4:4) to guide his correct thinking about the the reality we live in. He rebuked Satan while he was being tempted because he understood and saw a greater reality based on God's revealed truth. He knew God would provide for his every need, and that he could trust God to provide that need in his perfect timing.
My typical response to events of life is so different than how Jesus responded, and I need to change that. I realized that Jesus KNEW God's word (or course, he IS God's Living Word). Likewise I need to know God's Word, and allow it to change me so I will respond to life's trials in a godly way. The more I meditate on God's truth, I, like Jesus, will begin to respond to that truth, that reality, in a way that pleases my Savior.
Lord, thank you for the goodness you have revealed in Christ.
Posted by: Gary | March 27, 2009 at 04:33 AM
I must admit that I do not say grace at every meal time. Having said that, a day does not pass that I do not give thanks to the Lord for all He has done for me and all he has provided. We must be careful that saying grace before or after meals isn't taught as doctrine, or that we are not good Christians if we fail to say grace. I love praising and thanking God, but not just at meal time. It is a good practice and I am not discouraging it at all, but it is not a sin to forget to say grace.
Mike
Posted by: Mike | March 27, 2009 at 05:52 AM
Hello Everyone,
I grew up as Catholic in the North and we had a rote prayer before meals that was disconnected from any relationship or real conversation with the Lord. I didn't know the Lord then.
Interesting that the Lord has moved me to the South where we say "Grace" (a foreign expression my family never used). I am not a big "rote" prayer person and do not pray with our children before bedtime (which I sometimes feel guilty about, but I just can't seem to get into praying before bedtime...my best prayer time has always been in the morning).
Our prayers before meals are actually quite nice though and seem to have a naturalness about them. We use them as an opportunity to pray for family, friends, whoever comes to mind.
For us as a family, I think the key has been to remember to pray whenever the occasion arises and to fold prayer into our days in a natural way.
Enjoyed everyone's comments today. The Lord is teaching me a lot in Deuteronomy 7 & 8!
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 27, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Today, Deuteronomy 8, really stood out, because I finally started to notice that when I pray in times of good fortune, I tend to ask for more then just thanking him for the position in which I am. This message, for many reasons, is a wake up call to me.
Posted by: Natalie | March 28, 2009 at 04:44 PM