But You Shall Remember...

17 “You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow’s garment as a pledge. 18 But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this thing. 19 “When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing—Deuteronomy 24:17-22

It is hard to miss God’s heart of compassion for the weak, vulnerable and poor in both the Old Testament and the New. In this particular chapter it is impossible. God commands those that are His to think and act differently toward the poor among them. Laws should be carried out with equity for all.  When harvesting crops, God’s people were to leave a remnant for the poor.  Verse 18 says this:

But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this thing.

I can remember the same...I was a slave to sin. My God set me free.  He redeemed my life from destruction.  He brought me up out of a horrible pit, set my feet upon a rock and established my steps.  Oh, that I would remember to share that love and grace with others by imitating Him...by not forgetting to do good and share because with such sacrifices He is well pleased.  Beloved...when we do as He commands, we see that God is a debtor to no man. He blesses us in return. 

Praying that as I gaze today into the mirror of His word that I do not walk away and forget what God has shown me (commanded me). May my walk...my “daily conversation”...reflect the holy and beautiful, kind and generous love of my God.  

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.—Ephesians 4:32

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.—Ephesians 5:1-2

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.—Matthew 6:33

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD executes righteousness

And justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious,

Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

9 He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor punished us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities his children,

So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame;He remembers that we are dust.—Psalm 103:1-14 

Lord, if You are Willing...

 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”—Luke 15:12 (emphasis mine)

Father...thank you that You are the Friend of the outcast. Thank you for this leper’s beautiful example.  His words to Jesus reflect a deep sense of humility but also great faith.  Such a beautiful combination!  He knew Jesus could heal him but would he condescend to look upon and heal one such as he was?  The answer was yes...

For thus says the High and Lofty One

Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,

To revive the spirit of the humble,

And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.—Isaiah 57:15

Give us the “gift”, Father, of seeing ourselves as we truly are...wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked...an unclean, untouchable leper. Without the quickening of Your Spirit we are hopeless and helpless...dead in our trespasses and sins.  May we place our confidence during our stay here on earth not in our flesh, but in You our God who brings the dead to life, makes the blind see, the lame walk, and the deaf hear.  Help us...help me, Father...to see my need for You in both the overwhelming and the underwhelming. And when, by Your grace  I do, may I do what you did here on earth...withdraw often to pray. 

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.—Hebrews 4:16

For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,—Philippians 3:3

Do not forsake me, O LORD;

O my God, be not far from me!

22 Make haste to help me,

O Lord, my salvation!—Psalm 38:21-22

Some Trust in Horses...

 

When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. 2 So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. 3 And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 4 for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’—Deuteronomy 20:1-4

As believers each of us will face battles here on earth.  Battles which cause us to feel terrified, under-prepared, overwhelmed, and outsmarted.  When we do, (and we will) God commands us not to shrink in fear. but to remember that the outcome of the battle is not determined by our preparation or our power; but rests on the faithfulness and power of the Lord our God.  It is Him who goes before us, is with us, and fights for us. 

Beloved...I am so grateful that when I go through trials, I am never alone...never left to my own devices. I stand in His grace...the light of His countenance covers me. My God is for me...none can be against me. I will look to Him. I will trust Him. He is faithful.  He will see me through. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give me all things I need to get me through this vale of tears? He died for me when I was still His enemy...how much more will He help now that I am His child?  

1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,

And rely on horses,

Who trust in chariots because they are many,

And in horsemen because they are very strong,

But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel,

Nor seek the LORD!—Isaiah 31:1

With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles." And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 32:8, ESV)

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus...

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

And to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I've proved Him o'er and o'er;

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to trust His cleansing blood;

And in simple faith to plunge me

'Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just from sin and self to cease;

Just from Jesus simply taking

Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I'm so glad I learned to trust Thee,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.

Thoughts on Principles Governing Kings from Deuteronomy 17...

16 But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ 17 Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself.—Deuteronomy 17:16-17

How wise is our God?  Woman, money and power...three things that can lure a king’s heart (and ours)

from following our Lord...Beloved, keep your heart with all diligence for out of it springs the issues of life.

9 How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

10 With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.—Psalm 119:9-11

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18 “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites.—Deuteronomy 17:18

His first act as king was to write a copy of God’s law in a book. The writing down of something helps us to engrave it on our hearts.  

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.—Jeremiah 31:33

And again...

9 How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

10 With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.—Psalm 119:9-11

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19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes—Deuteronomy 17:19

He shall keep it with him

He shall read it daily

Why?  So he learns to fear the Lord and to be careful to observe all that is in it. Beloved, keep God’s word near to you.  The daily reading of it brings conviction to our hearts and reminds us that we need God every moment of every day.  

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."—Joshua 1:8-9

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that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.—Deuteronomy 17:20

When we are not immersing ourselves in the word, our hearts tend toward pride.  We find ourselves looking down on and criticizing the people around us.  In reading the word daily the king (and us) are more likely to be merciful and forgiving because the word would convict our hearts and remind us of our own need for mercy and forgiveness.  

I love the last promise (17:20b) the most being both a mom and a grandmother. If I read God’s word consistently and observe to do all that is commanded in it, my word and deed will match. I will walk in the ways and in the truth of my God and my children and grandchildren will follow.  For the king the promise would be not only for his children, but also for the people over which he ruled.  A perfect premise and a glorious promise.  

The Law of His God is in His Heart...

 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom,

And his tongue talks of justice.

31 The law of his God is in his heart;

None of his steps shall slide.—Psalm 37:30-31

There is only one way that my mouth can speak wisdom and my tongue talk of justice...by the Spirit of my God who dwells in me. 

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!—Romans 7:18;22-25

It is my God who places His good and right desires on my heart.  

It is my God who directs my steps to walk in those works He prepared beforehand

It is my God who rules and overrules all in my life for my good and His glory. 

It is my God who goes before me and makes my way straight before my face. 

It is my God who upholds me with His righteous right hand and keeps me from falling. 

It is my God’s goodness and mercy that follow hard after me...I can’t outrun them. 

It is my God who leads me in righteousness and in the way everlasting. 

Beloved...step by step our God leads us as a father leads a child.  We may be sorely tried and tossed to and fro by Satan’s minions, but God will never leave us in the hands of our enemies.  In Him we live and move and have our being.  In Christ we are safe. 

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:

"For Your sake we are killed all day long;

We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 8:31-39

Looking for the Consolation of Israel...

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,

According to Your word;

30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation

31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,

32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,

And the glory of Your people Israel.”—Luke 2:25-32

I loved reading these verses last night.  Such beautiful truth spoken by the Holy Spirit here through Simeon.  So much in the news, today, and well...really every day, that is not good.  We live in a fallen world, among fallen human beings where sin abounds.  BUT where sin abounds, grace abounds much more.  What a wonderful example Simeon is, always looking for the Consolation of Israel. 

Simeon was just and devoted...a man upon whom the Holy Spirit rested.  A man who listened to the voice of His God and believed that he would not die until he saw His Lord's Messiah.  How excited and watchful he must have been after John the Baptist came on the scene!  Thinking more on this, Simeon own personal expectation for the Messiah was probably not one of a tiny, helpless baby.  Nevertheless, he believed God's Spirit when He spoke to his heart and was able to see beyond what his own desires and expectations were, and embrace God's plan. 

The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant—Psalm 25:14

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing,

Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.—Amos 3:7

Father...Draw me by your Spirit into Your everlasting embrace.  May my soul thirst for You and my flesh long for you. Oh, that I would live my life in Your presence in a continual awareness of my never-ending need for You!  

In my fear, weakness and insufficiency, Jesus, be my help. 

In my grief and loneliness be my consolation and comfort...

in my unrest be my peace...

in my need be my provision...

in my waywardness be my path and my direction...

in my forgetfulness be my “rememberer”...

in my darkness be my light...

in every question be my answer...

in my sin be my forgiveness and way of escape...

And it will be said in that day:

“Behold, this is our God;

We have waited for Him, and He will save us.

This is the LORD;

We have waited for Him;

We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”—Isaiah 25:9

14 For this is God,

Our God forever and ever;

He will be our guide

Even to death.—Psalm 48:14

But Be Zealous for the Lord ALL the Day...

Do not let your heart envy sinners,

But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;

For surely there is a hereafter,

And your hope will not be cut off.—Prov 23:17-18

If you are anything like me, you might find yourself as you go about your day focusing on and caring about things that have no eternal value.  All the world is truly a stage and very often we can get caught up and entrapped in its trappings. We forget truth and begin to live as the non believers around us...for ourselves and not for God. 

Beloved...don’t envy sinners...sin brings nothing but despair and death.  Instead, be zealous for the Lord all the day long. For surely there is a hereafter and our hope will not be cut off. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.  Lay aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking. Desire instead, the pure milk of the word and grow in His grace and knowledge as you meditate on those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy.  

Oh Father! Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things and revive me in Your good and right way.  Oh, that I would be wise!   May my soul follow hard after You and may Your right hand uphold me.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.—Colossians 3:2-4

1 Do not fret because of evildoers,

Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,

And wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.—Psalm 37:1-4

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

Who delights greatly in His commandments.—Psalm 112:1

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.—1 Corinthians 9:24-27

With All of Your Heart...

 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? 14 Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it. 15 The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. 21 He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.—Deuteronomy 10:12-16; 20-21

76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;

For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,

77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people

By the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our God,

With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;

79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,

To guide our feet into the way of peace.”—Luke 1:76-80

As I read today’s readings my heart was convicted but also thankful...

Thankful that there is forgiveness with God. 

Thankful that His mercies are new every morning.  

Thankful that He is so faithful even and especially when I am not. 

Thankful that He is sufficient for all I face because I know I am not.  

Thankful that You, Father, by Your tender mercies have delivered me from the power of darkness and conveyed me into the kingdom of the Son of Your love.  

Thankful that You go before me and guide my feet in Your way of peace. 

Oh Father...fill me with Your fullness. Renew in me a right spirit....enable me to give You the pre-eminence in my life...to love You with all heart, soul, mind and strength.  You are my praise...You are my glory and You are my God.  Your desire toward me is good and Your working in my life is wonderful.  Encourage me to love those around me with Your unselfish love...the love that grows out of Your love for me. May my service toward others be motivated by and seasoned with Your love. Remove the fat that surrounds my heart and enable me to be stiff-necked and stubborn no longer. Help me to live today and every day worshiping You and walking in Your ways. 

Forgive me for making this life so often about me.  Forgive my lack of love.  My lack of mercy.  Forgive my wayward heart that forgets You and neglects to bring me with You as I go about “my” day.  Forgive me for rejecting You...the One who set His affections on me...who took upon Himself my sin and suffered and died in my place so that I could live forever with Him. Forgive me for allowing my heart to become unthankful...blinded by pride, fear and a lack of faith to Your blessings that surround me and follow me.  You bid me to come to You with my burdens and to cast my cares at Your feet...Forgive me for not obeying You in this.  You want always and only what is best for me.  Your yoke is “kind” and Your burden light.  Unite my heart to Yours and enable me hold tightly to You always. 

And Blessed is She That Believed...

 39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord—Luke 1:39-45 NKJV

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.—Luke 1:45 KJV

Mary’s faith is extolled here...Mary believed God and because she did, she would experience His grace and His power.  There would be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from her Lord. 

BLESSED are we, also, when we believe the word of God because His Word will not fail us.  God keeps His promises. 

They looked to Him and were radiant,

and their faces were not ashamed.—Psalm 34:10

Spurgeon says the faithfulness of God is the blessedness of the faith of the saints.  I love that.  Beloved, don’t lose heart...only believe.  Faith is ALWAYS the right response.

10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.—Isaiah 55:10-11

Rain and snow come from above and do not return without accomplishing the purpose for which they were sent. Beloved...God’s word is the same...it will not return to Him empty.  It will accomplish what He pleases and will prosper in the thing for which He sent it.  There is much comfort in those two verses.  Take them into Your heart.   Abide in His word.  Surrender to it...For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Hear Jesus’ gentle voice speaking to you...Do not be afraid, beloved, only believe.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;—Hebrews 10:23

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.—2 Corinthians 1:20

and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.—Romans 4:21

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the LORD

In the land of the living.—Psalm 27:13

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”—John 11:40

27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."

28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:27, ESV

And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." Luke 1:20, ESV