March 11
Read Deuteronomy 29 - 31
In Today's Reading:
New generation's Covenant; warnings against disobedience; Joshua, Moses' successor; Moses' last counsel
The Creator chose the small Israelite nation as the people through whom He would reveal Himself to the world as the One True Self-Existent God. Keep therefore the words of this Covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. . . . That He may establish you to day for a people to Himself, and that He may be to you a God . . . as He has sworn to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob (Deuteronomy 29:9,13). Moses continued to warn the people of the consequences of disregarding their Covenant responsibilities: Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turns away this day from the LORD your God to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that bears gall and wormwood (29:18-19).
God's chosen people confirmed their Covenant with God with promises to keep the agreement. It was much more than a contract agreement. The Covenant was a permanent arrangement and covered a person's total being and property.
When the Israelites entered the promised land, they were surrounded by influences that would test their loyalty to the One True God. They were faced with people who seemed to have advantages such as chariots for war and an attractive religious system with images they could see and touch. Through these things the Israelites were tempted to depart from their loyalty to God. In Joshua's last message, he warned: When you . . . have gone and served other gods . . . then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which He has given to you (Joshua 23:16). Israel's God, the One True God, is the God of believing Christians. There is no other. Israel's Messiah is our Savior. There is no other. Christians have become children of God (Romans 8:16) by a far more precious Covenant (see Hebrews 8:6) than that made with Abraham.
As the nations of the world have become our near neighbors, some are deceived and assume that their false gods are also the One True God who is just known by another name and that their faith is but one of many ways to worship the Almighty God. But all worshipers of these false gods reject that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13), who is The (only) Way (John 14:6).
Word Studies:
29:7 smote = defeated; 29:19 bless himself = congratulate himself; 31:10 solemnity = appointed time.
Christ Revealed:
As Life (Deuteronomy 30:15). Jesus is the Resurrection, and the Life (John 11:25).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BPM Staff: Rebecca Hahn · Government Officials: Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL), Sec. Gale Norton (Department of the Interior), and Justice Antonin Scalia · Country: Pakistan (138 million) in southern Asia · Major languages: Urdu and English · There is no freedom to convert Muslims to Christ. Pakistan is an Islamic republic · 97% Muslim; 2% Christian; 1% Hindu · Prayer Suggestion: Confess and forsake your sins that you may receive mercy (Proverbs 28:13).
Optional Reading: John 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Colossians 1:19