in retrospect: love and fear

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 6

Moses reflects on those ten commandments, and narrows them down to one: love the LORD with all your heart, soul and might (4).  Out of that love will come a fear and respect that will prevent idolatry and double mindedness. Obedience of all the regulations of the covenant flows from these emotions. 

Jesus taught that loving God was the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27).  A heart that loves God will not find it difficult to serve and obey him.  The key to loving God is remembering his rescue, and the key to remembering his rescue is keeping his words near.  The words of God are a sign of his work and his presence, and should be kept near by all means possible.

LORD, we resolve to love, fear, serve and remember you.

Posted in commitment, discipleship, fear, love | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: a covenant people

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 5

Moses reflected back on the giving of the ten commandments because he wanted to remind the Israelites that they were a people who have committed themselves to a covenant.  The commands all had to do with the covenant.  They were tied to the fact that God had rescued the Israelites and wanted them to…

  1. survive
  2. live in peace and health
  3. live long in the land (33).

LORD, we remember the covenant of our rescue through Christ.  Give us wisdom to follow its stipulations and honor his sacrifice.

Posted in commitment, discipleship, faithfulness, kingdom of God, new covenant, obedience | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: a great God and a great people

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 4

Moses encouraged the Israelites to live up to the standards of their God’s reputation.  They were to be a people known for their righteousness and wisdom.  They were to reflect upon the character of the LORD. 

He sets out again to explain the covenant and its regulations and stipulations.  He knows that in the future the people will rebel and turn back to idolatry, but also knows that the LORD will be ready to forgive and restore them if they repent. 

LORD, help us to live up to the challenge of reflecting the character of Christ.

Posted in church, commitment, discipleship, grace, kingdom of God, obedience | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: can’t blame a guy for trying

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 3

Moses pestered the LORD in prayer, hoping that he would relent and allow him to cross the Jordon and see the promised land.  Finally, the LORD told him not to ask again.  God had a plan for Joshua to lead that charge, not Moses.  Perhaps Moses is trying to come to grips with that as he writes.  The message we get from Moses’ life is to be persistent in prayer until you are absolutely sure the answer is no.  God does respond to prayer, and who knows how many have lost their answer because they gave up too soon.

LORD, help us to keep trying – to keep doing battle on our knees before you.

Posted in dependence upon God, perseverance, prayer | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: no cake walk

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 2

Moses looks at the crucial time when he and the Israelites stopped their wandering and set their sites (again) on the promised land.  He sees it all from God’s perspective.  The 38 years were to fulfill God’s promise to prevent the generation that had failed him from keeping their objective. Some lands were prohibited from conquest, others the LORD allowed their rulers to be hardened so that Israel would be forced to do battle – and God would give them victory.  But it all was an ordeal that they went through.  Following God is no cake walk.

LORD, forgive us for feeling let down when we discover how hard following you can be.  Give us your eternal perspective, and help us to be faithful.

Posted in conflict, discernment, faithfulness | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: challenges of leadership

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 1

Moses reflects upon some of the particular challenges he had faced as leader of God’s people.  This sets the tone of Deuteronomy — a book of reflection.  We don’t get a lot of new material in this book, but we do see the history reflected on in a more personal way.  We are hearing the heart and passion of Moses in this book.

LORD, as we face the challenges you set before us, may we be sure to take your side, as Moses did.

Posted in commitment, discernment, leadership, perseverance, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

a protective walk

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 35-36     

By granting refuge to individuals who were accused of murder, the LORD protected those falsely accused.  By prescribing limits, he assured that people could not abuse the law.  The same was true of the inheritance rights. Zelopehad’s daughters could inherit as long as they married within their tribe. 

Our rights end where those of another person begins.  We must be careful to walk our Christian walk with a view to protect our neighbor, showing our love – and God’s love for him.

LORD, give us the wisdom to walk carefully so that we do not take advantage of our rights – and do others wrong.

Posted in church, consideration of others, discernment, freedom, responsibility | Tagged , | 2 Comments

a specific walk

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 33:50-34:29

The LORD did not set the Israelites free for freedom’s sake alone.  He had a plan and a promise — to bring them to a specific place and settle them there to represent him specifically.  He did not care if his people were sincere, religious, or committed if they were inclined to rebel against his plan.  A citizen of Israel had to decide whether he would cooperate with God and do what God wanted.  God would set the limits of his achievement.

Likewise, in the kingdom of Christ, there is  a specific aim to which he has aimed us.  We are not at liberty to decide on some other life objective.  If we want total freedom, that desire would take us to our destruction.  The freedom Jesus offers us is that of walking in the truth.

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:31-32

LORD give us the courage to walk your specific walk.

Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, discernment, discipleship, kingdom of God, will of God | Tagged , | 2 Comments

looking back as we walk

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 33:1-49

Here Moses records the places where Israel had camped on their journey to Canaan and their wandering in the wilderness.  Where they had walked was a testimony both to the LORD’s provision, and to their own stubbornness and rebellion.

As we get older, we have the benefit of looking back on the places we have been, and of trying to discern the lessons God has been teaching us.  If we are wise, we will discern that life is not about making it to a destination as much as it is about getting to know a person — the LORD himself.

LORD, teach us lessons about you from our past.

Posted in discernment, discipleship, plan of God, relationship with God | Tagged | 1 Comment

a considerate walk

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 32

Moses did not first oppose Reuben and Gad because they saw an opportunity to take care of their families.  His objection was twofold. First, they had not considered what staying in the Transjordon would do to the other tribes.  Second, they had not considered how much they had been thinking like the majority in the time of the sending out of the twelve spies.  

Their choice to go into battle, and stay at it until all the tribes had their land was wise.  It encouraged the others, and repaired the damage done by the unwise request.

LORD, teach us to be considerate of others when seeking your favor.

Posted in consideration of others, courage, faithfulness, perseverance, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment