Deuteronomy 26
Firstfruits to the LORD in Promised Landverses 1-4
And it shall be – when you are come in to the land which the
LORD your God gives you for an inheritance
and possess it – and dwell therein
That you shall take of the first of all your fruit of the earth
which you shall bring of your land that the
LORD your God gives you – and shall put it in a basket
and shall go to the place which the LORD your God
shall choose to place HIS name there
And you shall go to the priest that shall be in those days
and say to him
I profess this day to the LORD your God
that I am come to the country which the LORD
swore to our fathers for to give us
And the priest shall take the basket out of your hand
and set it down before the altar of the LORD your God
Celebrate being in the Promised Landverses 5-11
And you shall speak
and say before the LORD your God
A Syrian ready to perish was my father – and he went down to Egypt
and sojourned there with a few – and became there a nation
great – mighty – populous
and the Egyptians evil entreated us – and afflicted us
and laid on us hard bondage
And when we cried to the LORD God of our fathers
the LORD heard our voice – and looked on our
affliction – labor – oppression
And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a
mighty hand – outstretched arm – great terribleness
signs – wonders
And HE has brought us into this place
and has given us this land
even a land that flows with milk and honey
And now – behold
I have brought the firstfruits of the land – which YOU
O LORD have given me
And you shall set it before the LORD your God
and WORSHIP before the LORD your God
and you shall REJOICE in every good thing
which the LORD your God has given to you
and to your house you – the Levite
the stranger that is among you
Tithe every third year for special groupverses 12-15
When you have made an end of TITHING all the TITHES of
your increase the third year – which is the year of TITHING
and have given it to the
Levite – stranger – fatherless – widow
that they may eat within your gates
and be filled
THEN you shall say
before the LORD your God
I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house
and also have given them to the
Levite – stranger – fatherless – widow
according to all YOUR commandments which
YOU have commanded me
I have not transgressed YOUR commandments
neither have I forgotten them
I have not eaten thereof in my mourning
neither have I taken away ought thereof
for any unclean use
nor given ought thereof for the dead
BUT I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God
and have done according to all that YOU have commanded me
LOOK DOWN from YOUR holy habitation – from heaven
and bless YOUR people Israel – and the land which YOU
have given us – as YOU swore to our fathers
a land that flows with milk and honey
Israel is a peculiar people chosen by the LORDverses 16-19
This day the LORD your God has commanded you to do these
statutes and judgments
You shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart
with all your soul
You have avouched the LORD this day to be your God
and to WALK in HIS ways – and to KEEP HIS statutes
and HIS commandments – and HIS judgments
and to HEARKEN to HIS voice
And the LORD has avouched you this day to be HIS PECULIAR people
as HE has promised you – and that you should keep all
HIS commandments
And to make you high above all nations
which HE has made – in praise – name
honor – and that you may be a HOLY people
to the LORD your God
as HE has spoken
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 That you shall take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which you shall bring of your land that the LORD your God gives you, and shall put it in a basket, and shall go to the place which the LORD your God shall choose to place HIS name there. (977 “choose” [bachar] means acceptable, appoint, to select for one’s own reasons or purposes from a number of alternatives, to delight, or preference to)
DEVOTION: If every believer brought the first fruits of their labor to the LORD on a regular basis all the needs of the poor of the land would be cared for by HIS people. These first fruits were also to pay the Levites for their service to the LORD. So we find that if every believer was faithful in their giving the priests and Levites would have enough to eat and work for the LORD. Also, there would be prosperity even for the poor of the land.
In the third year the harvest was ready to eat in the Promised Land. It was a renewal of their vow of faithfulness to the LORD. If they honored the LORD, HE would honor them.
They were to bring their first fruits to the chosen place of worship of the LORD. That place was Jerusalem for most of the time they were in the Promised Land. HIS chosen place for us to bring our tithe or ten percent of our income is the local church. If all the money was given to the local church by all the believers there would be enough money to support all the ministries of missionaries both here in this country and in all the other countries of the world.
It is important that each believer give their tithe to the LORD for HIS use in reaching everyone in our world. Each Sunday there would be a time of worship around the Word of God and giving to HIS ministries.
Children need to be taught young to give of their allowance to the LORD. If they earn money at home, they need to give a tenth to the LORD for HIS ministries. Too often children are not taught to give at a young age and when they get older, they follow the same pattern.
CHALLENGE: If God is blessing us we need to say “THANK YOU” by giving back to HIM. This is taught throughout the Word of God for those who claim to be followers of HIM.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
:7 And when we cried to the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our LABOUR, and our oppression (5999 “labour” [‘amal] means toil, trouble, weariness, vexation, distress, effort, work severely or pain)
DEVOTION: Once the children of Israel were in the Promised Land, they were to take the first of their crop in a basket to the priest. They were to confess to the priest that they were in the Promised Land that the LORD promised to their fathers.
Moses gave further instruction regarding what they were to do once they had offered the first fruits to the priest. They were to pray to the LORD regarding the time of affliction the children of Israel went through in the land of Egypt. They cried out to the LORD for help. HE heard their prayers. HE saw their pain. HE saw their distress. HE saw their oppression.
What did HE do? HE brought them out of Egypt. HE stretched out HIS arm to help them leave. HE sent ten plagues on the people of Egypt. HE led them out of Egypt. HE was with them throughout the wilderness wandering.
Today, the LORD sees our pain. HE knows that we only learn through hard times. Too often we think that if all things are going well, we are in the perfect will of God. Many individuals that think they are Christians but think that suffering is only for those who are sinning. They think that God is only going to give them a happy time while they are here on this earth because they are obedient. They are wrong. The Bible says that whomever the LORD loves, HE chastens.
HE wants us to grow. HE knows that purging and chastening are the only way we grow. Serving the LORD is not an easy road to follow. It is a hard road. HE knows our every struggle. One of the main struggles that Christians have today is giving the LORD their money!!! That is why Moses mentions this next. He wants them to gather a tithe every third year to help the Levite, stranger, fatherless and widow. In helping others we realize our dependence on the LORD for all of our needs.
Accept the fact that the Christian life is not an easy life. Accept the good, bad and ugly that comes our way as a plan the LORD has for our growth. The children of Israel had all of these. They were not regular obedient children. They were holy and peculiar just like us. We have a hard time becoming regular obedient followers of the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Train those around you in the teaching that a Christian worldview is one that is in conflict with every other view. Christ wants each Christian to take up their cross and follow HIM!!!
: 13 Then you shall say before the LORD your God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them to the Levite, and to the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all your commandments which you have commanded me: I have not transgressed your commandments, neither have I forgotten them
DEVOTION: Not only are we to give to the LORD but we are to make sure that the foreigners, orphans and widows are taken care of by the followers of God. They are to help all of these groups on a regular basis.
Why should we give to these groups? The answer is found in this verse. If we are faithful in our giving then we can go into the presence of the LORD and claim that we have been obedient to HIS commands. We can also claim that we have not violated or forgotten what HE has commanded us to do with our wealth. If we honor HIM with obedience, HE will honor us with blessings.
Too often we are hearing preachers and missionaries teach the “health and wealth gospel” which seems to claim that if we give our money to the church the LORD will give us back tenfold in return of our giving our money to HIM. That is not taught in the Word of God.
It is taught that we will be blessed if we honor the LORD with our money but the blessings are not always monetary. There is blessing of health. There is the blessing of a good family. There is a blessing of a good job. There is a blessing of seeing someone we love become a follower of Jesus Christ.
If we don’t forget to honor the LORD, we can look at what is happening in our life and see the LORD working. HE is working actively today just like HE did in the Old Testament times.
CHALLENGE: Do you see HIS blessing when you are obedient to HIM?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 17 You have avouched the LORD this day to be your God and to walk in HIS ways, and to keep HIS statutes, and HIS commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken to HIS voice. (8085 “hearken” [shama] means obey, publish, understand, obedient, diligently, to hear, listen, or pay close attention to and usually respond in conformity)
DEVOTION: There is a commercial on television where someone says “can you hear me now” and the correct reply is YES. This is what the LORD is trying to do with the children of Israel.
They are given instructions regarding what their life should be like in the Promised Land. They are about to enter it and need to understand what the LORD expects of them if they are going to receive HIS blessings.
Too often they didn’t listen to HIS instructions that were written down or what HIS prophets told them to do. It was not hard for them to listen and understand HIS instructions but it seems to be very hard for them to obey.
This is even happening today with those who are New Testament believers. They have been given instructions in the New Testament that are very plain and easy to understand but they continue to disobey just like the children of Israel did in the wilderness and in the Promised Land.
Humans that say they are following the LORD seem to continue to have a problem obeying the LORD. It seems that our old nature wants to always be in control rather than our new nature that the LORD as given us when we made a commitment to HIM.
It takes effort to obey the LORD and it seems that just like the Old Testament saints, we the New Testament saints are not willing to do the work that is involved in obeying the LORD.
The church shows how far we have gone away from the teachings of the LORD. It needs to return to Biblical teachings and practice. It will take effort and we need to pray for the LORD to give us strength each day to be obedient servants.
CHALLENGE: Are we praying for this obedience each day as we study and try to serve the LORD?
: 18 And the LORD has avouched you this day to be his peculiar people, as HE has promised you, and that you should keep all HIS commandments (5459 “peculiar” [cagullah] means special, jewel, particular treasure, valued property, highly valued by owner, or wealth)
DEVOTION: When the LORD speaks it is with authority. HE has a special relationship with HIS people the children of Israel. They were a treasure to HIM. HE highly valued HIS relationship with them.
HE wanted HIS people to think of HIM as special in their lives. HE wanted them to be obedient to HIS commandments. HE wanted them to walk in the right direction. HE wanted them to LOVE HIM with all their heart and soul.
In the New Testament Christians are HIS particular treasures, that HE values above all other people. HE wants the same obedience of us today that HE wanted from the Old Testament saints.
The problem is that we are just as obedient as they were during their life here on this earth. There was a lot of chastening of the children of Israel even during their time in the wilderness before they arrived in the Promised Land.
The world was an attraction to them. They didn’t like wandering in the wilderness and kept thinking that they were better off as slaves in Egypt. The LORD knew they were thinking wrong. They understood they were thinking wrong as well at times. We need to realize the same thing can happen to us at times.
If we have repented of our sins and depend on the Holy Spirit to help us walk on the path the LORD has set before us, we can claim to be part of the special treasure the LORD is collecting from this world for heaven.
HE has promised to never leave us or forsake us. HE always keeps HIS promises. Are you in HIS treasure chest right now? Are you manifesting an obedient spirit? Do you love HIM with your whole heart and soul?
CHALLENGE: The LORD is looking over HIS people. HE values HIS people. HE is claiming you. Are you claiming HIM every day?
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Titheverse 12
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Prayer given with first fruitsverses 5-9
Say to the LORDverses 5, 13
Cried to the LORDverse 7
Prayer: Look down from heavenverse 15
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Chosen place for worshipverse 2
Priestverse 4
Altar of the LORD your Godverse 4
Worshipverse 10
Rejoiceverse 11
Leviteverse 11-13
Hallowed things out of houseverse 13
Praiseverse 19
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Commandmentsverses 13, 14, 17, 18
Statutesverses 16, 17
Judgmentsverses 16, 17
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1-5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17-19
God (Elohim)verses 1-5, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19
LORD thy Godverses 1-5, 10, 11,13, 14, 16, 19
LORD God of our fathersverse 7
Heard Israel voiceverse 7
Mighty handverse 8
Outstretched armverse 8
Great terriblenessverse 8
Signs and wondersverse 8
Voice of the LORD my Godverse 14
Holy habitation: heavenverse 15
HE has madeverse 19
HE has spokenverse 19
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Syrianverse 5
Egyptverses 5, 6, 8
Strangerverses 11-13
Fatherlessverses 12, 13
Widowverses 12, 13
Nationsverse 19
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Evil entreatedverse 6
Afflicted Israelverses 6, 7
Oppressionverse 7
Transgressedverse 13
Forgetting the commandmentsverse 13
Uncleanverse 14
Worshiped the deadverse 14
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Inheritanceverses 1-3, 9, 11, 15
Afflictedverses 6, 7
Listen to voice of Godverses 7, 17, 19
Given provisionsverse 10
Worshipverse 10
Rejoiceverse 11
Tithingverse 12
Hearkened to voice of the LORDverse 14
Bless your people Israelverse 15
Keep & Do the commandsverses 16, 18
With all your heart and soulverse 16
Walk in HIS waysverse 17
Keep HIS statutesverse 17
Hearken to HIS voiceverse 17
Peculiar peopleverse 18
Promisedverse 18
Holy peopleverse 19
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Hard bondageverse 6
Promised Land: flowing with milk and honeyverse 9
First fruits of the landverse 10
Levite receives titheverses 11-13
Tithe to fatherlessverses 12, 13
Widow receives titheverses 12, 13
Israelverse 15
Land flowing with milk and honeyverse 15
Avouched the LORD as your Godverses 17, 18
Holy nationverse 19
High above all nationsverse 19
in praise – name – honor
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org Also if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
QUOTES regarding passage
Israel was God’s personal possession (Ps 135:4). Moses reminded Israel that God chose her and redeemed her from bondage not because of her goodness, but solely because he loved her and was faithful to the promises given to the patriarchs. Israel should reflect God’s holiness and live out his commandments (Deut 14:2ff.), reflecting his standards in a life of wholehearted compliance with the terms of the covenant made at Sinai (Ex 19:5–6) and renewed at their entrance into Canaan. Then would they have good success (Deut 26:16–19). So it should be with all believers. These verses from Deut are doubtless alluded to in Tit 2:14 and I Pet 2:9. (Patterson, R. D. (1999). 1460 סגל. (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke, Eds.)Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Chicago: Moody Press.)
The purpose of the reiteration here was to connect one of the festivals—that of Firstfruits (Heb. sĕbûʿôt)—with a ceremony of covenant renewal.(Merrill, E. H. (1994). Deuteronomy (Vol. 4, p. 331) Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publisher.)
D. A declaration of commitment (26:16–19)
These four verses conclude Moses’ explanation of the Law (5:1–26:15) by calling for a total commitment to the Lord and His commands, and also by affirming God’s commitment to Israel. This section may also be viewed as a formal ratification of the covenant between the Lord and Israel even though the word “covenant” does not appear in these four verses. Israel accepted and affirmed her covenantal responsibilities and the Lord affirmed His promise to exalt an obedient Israel over all the nations of the earth.
1. israel’s responsibility (26:16–17)
26:16–17. Israel was to devote herself to obey carefully and unreservedly (with all her heart and soul; see comments on 6:5) the Lord’s decrees and laws. The words you have declared were a technical statement in the treaty language of the ancient Near East. It meant that Israel formally accepted the terms of the Lord’s covenant and acknowledged her responsibility to obey them.
2. the lord’s responsibility (26:18–19)
26:18–19. With the same treaty terminology (has declared; cf. v. 18) the Lord formally acknowledged His obligation to Israel, to be her God, and to make her His most valued nation on earth. The reiteration of Israel’s responsibility (you are to keep all His commands) reminded Israel that her special status of honor depended on her obedience to Him. To be the Lord’s treasured possession (cf. 7:6; 14:2; Ps. 135:4; Mal. 3:17; see comments on Ex. 19:5) meant that He would exalt Israel high above all the nations (cf. Deut. 28:1). Through disobedience and rebellion, generation after generation of Israelites forfeited their right to be exalted over the nations. But Isaiah wrote that Israel’s rebellion would not continue forever, for the Lord will raise up a generation of faithful Israelites in the future who will enjoy God’s grace in a golden age of blessing (Isa. 60–62). That age is commonly called the Millennium. (Deere, J. S. (1985). Deuteronomy. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 308–309). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Chapter 26 concludes the whole section on the stipulations of the covenant renewal document by requiring two rituals and providing a concluding exhortation (26:1–19).
The presentation of the firstfruits (vv. 1–11) seems to refer to all the firstfruits suggested for the various annual pilgrimage feasts in Deuteronomy 16. It surely does not refer to a new religious institution in Israel. The declaration (v. 3) is a personal testimony that the individual has entered the land. The baskets (v. 4) represent his acknowledgment of the blessings received from the Lord, the Giver and Sustainer of life. The recital of the creed (vv. 5–9) serves as a testimony acknowleding his family roots, the history of God’s redemptive work, and his present inheritance as a gift of God’s grace in redemption—all in fulfillment of God’s oath verifying the covenant promises.
“In the third year” refers to a special tithe received every third year (vv. 12–15). It does not replace or set aside other tithes (cf. 14:28–29). The accompanying statement affirms the integrity of the giver, who then looks to God for continual blessings and provisions on the basis of his covenant promises.
The basic demand of the covenant is repeated again (vv. 16–19): to love the Lord with all their hearts. In turn, the great King acknowledges them as his people, his treasured possession, and that he will continue to set them above all nations. This must not be taken for granted, but is conditioned on their own faithfulness. (Gilchrist, P. R. (1995). Deuteronomy. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 125). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.)
26:16–19 The final exhortation of Moses. These verses conclude the legal corpus of Deuteronomy (12:1–26:19) in which Moses developed and applied the laws of the Book of the Covenant to a new situation, as Israel was about to enter the land. It is also an appropriate anticipation of the next section with its focus on covenant renewal (27:1–30:20).
26:16 The demands of obedience are found throughout Deuteronomy. To observe or do the will of God was not meant to be the means by which a person would be made righteous before God. Instead it would be part of a loving response to God’s gracious covenant. all your heart and … soul: This is also a regular emphasis in Deuteronomy, a command to the whole person to respond fully to God.
26:17 The first generation had declared their loyalty to God at Mount Sinai (Ex. 24:7). In this covenant renewal ceremony, the new generation confirmed their commitment to God. To confess that the Lord was their God implied a commitment to live by His revelation.
26:18 The Hebrew word for special people speaks of God’s great delight and pleasure in His people. They are like a very special jewel, an adornment that He treasures. The word denotes an elect people, set apart by the Lord to Himself, committed to the Lord and His revelation, and exalted above the nations (Ex. 19:5; Mal. 3:17).
26:19 Closeness to the Lord meant separation from the nations. in praise … in honor: The future of God’s people was in His hands. He had promised to bestow honor on them (compare Gen. 12:2, 3; Is. 60; Rom. 8:18, 19). In a similar manner, the Lord has lifted up the people of His church, separating them from the nations and regarding them as a holy people (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (p. 260). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Evangelical believers were first designated Protestants in the year 1529 after a formal protestation had been handed in at what was called the Diet of Spires, when a great company of ecclesiastics met together to consider the Lutheran movement and what their attitude should be toward it, and a number of the German princes and the representatives of fourteen cities entered a protest to the Diet when they refused to consider the liberty of any German principality to rid themselves completely of Romanism and endorse the new evangelical program if they so desired. The Diet of Spires held that the mass must be everywhere recognized and that no German principality should be permitted any other form of religious service than that of the Roman Catholic except the few which had already become what we today call Protestant. They themselves were simply called evangelicals. But after putting in this protest, the name Protestant was applied largely by the Roman Catholic adversaries to the evangelical group. Eventually, however, they took it over for themselves for they felt there was something in the name which was worth preserving. They were protesting against certain great doctrinal principles and certain practices which they honestly believed to be contrary to the Word of God. (Ironside, H. A. (1945). Divine priorities, and other messages (pp. 50–51). New York: Loizeaux Brothers)
1 Peter 4
In the face of suffering, we should follow Christ’s example.
INSIGHT Life is often very trying whether you are a Christian or not. Difficult circumstances fall on the righteous and unrighteous alike. However, the Christian life often adds to our difficulties. We may be discriminated against because of our faith, or our beliefs may eliminate the “easy” ways out of a problem. But Christ does not ask us to suffer anything for Him that He was not willing to suffer for us. Someday we will be rewarded for our diligence and faith. (Quiet Walk)
|
December 9
THE SIMPLICITY OF FAITH
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:5
Simplicity of faith is one of the most difficult lessons to learn. Most of our defeats, I think, are due to the fact that we parley with sin, we attempt to fight it on our own. The rest of faith, in a sense, means that there are times when we do not even attempt to fight this battle against sin but simply look to Christ.
Perhaps an illustration will make my point clear. I once read a little pamphlet that was very simple but that, it seemed to me, shared the whole essence of this particular aspect of the doctrine. It was the story of a Christian in South Africa, traveling out in the country, and he came to an agricultural community. Owing to certain floods in the country, he had to stay where there was a kind of saloon or public house. He was amazed and saddened at the sight of the farmers, many of whom, he noticed, came there and spent in a few days all the money they had been able to earn and save as the result of their hard work through the year. They had a powerful craving for drink that they could not conquer.
He was especially attracted to one poor man who seemed to be a particular victim to this terrible affliction, and he began to talk to him. First of all he began to reason with him, pointing out the suffering that his wife and children had to endure. The poor man admitted it all and told the story of how he had been almost unconsciously led into it and found himself a helpless slave to drink before realizing that anything had happened—how he would give the whole world if he could stop it, but he was now a victim of it. Then this Christian went on to tell him about faith, the possibility of overcoming, and told him about the Lord Jesus Christ who had come into this world to save us. I will finish the story in tomorrow’s meditation.
A Thought to Ponder: Simplicity of faith is one of the most difficult lessons to learn.
(From Life in God, pp. 57-58, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
If Christ fails me, then everything is lost. But if Jesus Christ abides, if He is the same yesterday, today and forever, then everything is well for eternity, for God in grace links up with Him all who put their trust in Him. I would not want to be without Him. I would not turn from Him to any church or any sacramental observances, to any ritualistic services, to any efforts of my own. I would not turn from Christ to trust in anything that might be presented for I find absolute satisfaction in Him. He has met every need of my soul and He has settled the sin question to the divine satisfaction. No, we will not attempt to liquidate Protestantism. We will go on preaching, in love and in the power of the Holy Ghost, as the Lord enables us, the blessed realities that were recovered for us at the glorious reformation through which all the centuries since, millions of people have found the full assurance of faith and trusted Christ alone and would not rest on church or sacraments for salvation. We stand today for these same precious things, and by the grace of God we will proclaim them as long as He gives life and strength. (Ironside, H. A. (1945). Divine priorities, and other messages (pp. 65–66). New York: Loizeaux Brothers.)
Loving the Word
“O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)
This emotional stanza in Psalm 119 bursts with passion for the Word of God. “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).
Previously, David’s 19th Psalm opened with praise for the “speech” and “knowledge” available in “the heavens” (Psalm 19:1-6) and gave his most open praise for the “perfect” laws (Psalm 19:7) of God that are “more to be desired…than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).
The focus of this particular stanza (Psalm 119:97-104) is on the practical effect that knowledge of the Word of God has had on the psalmist’s ability to give a powerful witness.
“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me” (v. 98).
“I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation” (v. 99).
“I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts” (v. 100).
The excitement that comes with the “love” and the “sweet” taste of God’s Word in a believer’s life produces an assurance that results in a readiness to “give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Indeed, since it is clear that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (2 Corinthians 10:4), we should be all the more committed (as is the psalmist) to refrain “from every evil way” (Psalm 119:101), being sure that we do not depart from the “judgments” (v. 102), and that our understanding (The Institute for Creation Research)
GOD uses people who fail – CAUSE there aren’t any other kind around
John C Maxwell
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.