in retrospect: lex rex

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

Deuteronomy 16:18-17:20

In this bold new society that the LORD is setting up through Moses, things will not be done the old way.  The old way was that you got what you wanted by bribery and the powerful were the rulers.  In the new society the law of God prevailed.  Even the powerful (priests, judges and kings) were subservient to the law.  The LORD did not want people to get their way by manipulating his power.  He wanted justice.

LORD, let justice prevail among us.  May we not presume to get our way because of our relationship with you.  Keep us humble before you.

Posted in consideration of others, dependence upon God, discipleship | Tagged , | 2 Comments

in retrospect: remembering

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 15:19-16:17

The feasts were designed to be a constant reminder of what the LORD had done and is doing for his people.  God wanted his children to remember and rejoice because he was and is among them.

LORD, build into our lives a pattern of consistent remembrance of your grace.

Posted in discernment, grace, wisdom | Tagged , | 2 Comments

in retrospect: seeking freedom

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 15:1-18

The same LORD who commanded rest at the end of the week commanded release of servants at the end of a seven year cycle.  He wanted his people to be known for their kindness to one another, and he aimed for redemption from poverty.  These are the kinds of people who honor him today as well.

LORD, help us to honor you by loving one another, and seeking freedom from bondage for ourselves and others.

Posted in deliverance, redemption, Sabbath | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: a Father’s right

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 14

Before we recoil at the audacity of Moses in  putting dietary restrictions upon Israel, let us remember that Moses states at the beginning of this chapter: the Israelites are sons of the LORD their God.  A father has a right to choose the best for his children, and to keep them from things they should not take or touch.

As Christians, we do not have the ceremonial and dietary restrictions that the Israelites had.  But we are responsible to be holy to the LORD, and not touch any unclean thing.

LORD, keep us in tune with your loving father’s will for us.

Posted in church, commitment, discernment, holiness, will of God | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: denouncing pragmatism

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 13

 

For many people and cultures around the world today, the test of the validity of an idea seems to be “does it work?”  Even if a person does not agree with someone else’s religion or social allegiance, he is inclined to accept that someone else does, because it seems to work for that person.  God challenges us to denounce that kind of pragmatism.  It does not matter that the prophet’s predictions come true, if that prophet is set against the LORD. 

LORD, we renounce all our ideas and inclinations, and seek to abide by your word alone.

Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, discernment, discipleship, kingdom of God | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: my way or God’s way

Posted on June 10, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 12

The prescribed way of worshipping was to replace the way that seems right unto man.  Each of us has sinned by going his own way.  God’s way will lead to blessing. Ignoring it and going our own way leads to disaster.  Many societies today tell each other that a person’s choice is sacred – that no one has a right to call anybody else wrong.  God has another opinion.  His way is the right way.  Ours is – by definition – an error.

LORD, help us to turn from our wicked way and follow your way to blessing.

Posted in discipleship, relationship with God, repentance, will of God | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: relationship

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 10:12-11:32

Moses encouraged the Israelites to obey God and keep the commandments, but that was not the primary challenge.  The first and most important thing was for them to love and fear God – to have a relationship with him. That is the most important thing for any people of any age.

LORD, teach us how to circumcise our stubborn hearts.

Posted in discipleship, faith, fear, love, relationship with God | Tagged , | 2 Comments

in retrospect: hinges of mercy

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 9:6-10:11

Moses’ prayers  served as hinges that let the LORD turn from his judgment upon Israel to his mercy toward them.  Many times the anger of the LORD was ready to consume the people, and it was the persistent prayers of Moses that made the difference.

LORD, remind us to pray regularly so that you can show mercy to your stubborn, rebellious people.

Posted in mercy, prayer | Tagged , | 2 Comments

in retrospect: remember the whole way

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 8:1-9:5

Moses challenged the Israelites to remember their time in the wilderness.  He wanted them to remember how dependent of God they were, because the occasion would come that God would bless them with prosperity and peace, and they would be tempted to forget that dependence.

He wanted them to remember their times of sin and stubbornness, because the occasion would come that God would wipe out their enemies before them, and they would be tempted to think it was because they were morally superior than their enemies.  The real reason that their enemies would fall is that God was greater than the gods of their enemies — in every respect.

LORD, when we are tempted to pride, help us to remember the whole way you have brought us.

Posted in dependence upon God, humility, pride | Tagged , | 1 Comment

in retrospect: a greater GOD

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 7

A lesser god would have been OK with entering Canaan and becoming part of the pantheon of the peoples. The LORD was not.  He demanded that the Israelites wipe out all the nations of the land.  He would not share his glory with any of the demonic entities who claimed ownership of the land and its peoples.  They had to be eradicated because the land was holy to the LORD, and the people who lived there had to be holy to him as well. God was passing judgment upon the people of the land because they had sold out to the enemy.  He had every right to do so.  The LORD of all the earth was taking possession of his land.  Those who opposed him had only two choices: flee the land or be destroyed by him.

LORD, purge our hearts of any devotion to lesser gods, and so protect us from your judgment.

Posted in integrity, kingdom of God, relationship with God, worldview | Tagged | 1 Comment