Author: Pastor Doug

Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 10:12 (ESV).

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, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Moses continues his recap of the lessons the Israelites have learned during their time in the desert. Does this verse sound familiar? In Micah 6:8 we read “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” The prophet Micah centuries later channels this instruction from Moses for the people he is desperately trying to reach. If we get our walk with the Lord in order, we find that many things that troubled us before are no longer such an issue.

Gracious God, You have given us everything as a gift to use in Your name for the good of all Your children. Bless us to walk with You and the world in peace. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 8:11 (ESV).

Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today

Moses warns the people about letting their relationship with God fade when things are good. They praised God as He led them from slavery, but soon grumbled against Him in the wilderness. Years ago I worked at a hospital and the jail, both places people want to avoid. I saw folks find God there and sadly, often leave Him there when they were released. This is the behavior we are cautioned against in this passage. God is with us and for us no matter what our circumstances. We need Him always!

Loving Lord, thank You for the blessing of Your presence, given to guard and guide us. Send us to share the joy of Your love with all Your children. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV).

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Some people call this passage the John 3:16 of the Old Testament. It reminded the people that God had offered them His love and we are invited to return it as His children. In Hebrew it is called the Shema, which means “hear”. It is because He so loved the world that He continued to reach out to us, even in our fallen state. Jesus came as the ultimate example of God’s love and only by His sacrifice can we be saved.

Heavenly Father, we are sorry for our willful disobedience. Forgive us and bless us to be the light of Your love to all the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 5:2-3 (ESV).

The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. Not with our fathers did the Lord make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today.

Moses begins a “re-giving” of the Ten Commandments in this chapter. He reminds the people that these are the rules for living in God’s love and in peace with each other. This is the big picture for the people of God, and if we obeyed these there wouldn’t be a need for the myriad of human regulations we have created to protect us from each other. Only our selfishness and our need to think we are in control prevent us from living as God intends. We can repent and be forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice for us, and claim our kinship with the people of His New Covenant.

Gracious God, in Your mercy You made a way for us to be saved. Bless us to be Your people, reaching out in love to the world. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 4:1 (ESV).

And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.

Translators have used a variety of words to describe the commandments God has given – the Law, ordinances, Word. All of these are to help us see that we need boundaries and instructions in order to live together as God intends. At that time the Law covered both religious activities and civil behavior. The people had no previous experience with self government and needed a basis for their society. While Christians are not bound by the provisions of the Law as it was, we are called to live under the law of love Christ died and rose to give us. In Matthew 5:17 He told us “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” The Law was given to protect us (sadly) from each other and deepen our connection to God. When we live under His forgiveness, we need no other protection.

Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we go our own way and fail You. Forgive us and bless us to share Your love with everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Deuteronomy 1:8 (ESV).

See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.

Today we begin to explore Deuteronomy, the last book of the Torah and God’s final instructions through Moses. While the objective has always been the Promised Land, now they are on the threshold. God reminds them of the promise He made to their ancestors of land and descendants. The people themselves are the result of that covenant and now God calls them into the land. While they have stumbled in their journey, God is still with them, as He is with us when we fail. When we come to Him in repentance, we can be forgiven and renewed, sent into our lands to fulfill His purpose.

Gracious God, You have given us everything to care for in Your name. Bless us to be wise in our stewardship, using all Your gifts for the good of Your children. Amen.

Our scripture today is Numbers 34:1-2 (NET).

Then the Lord spoke to Moses: “Give these instructions to the Israelites, and tell them: When you enter Canaan, the land that has been assigned to you as an inheritance, the land of Canaan with its borders…

In these verses God shares with His people the borders He has set for the Promised Land. Like everything in creation, God knows the names of all the places mentioned. While this is new information for the Israelites, God had this planned all along. He has led them to a place where they can work together as a people, but more importantly, partner with God as we did in the garden and become the example for the world. He waits for each of us to humble ourselves to His will and be part of His plan for all things.

Loving Lord, we are amazed that You are willing to forgive us and reconnect us to Your kingdom. Bless us to be willing to go where there is need, bringing Your love to everyone. Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Numbers 33:1 (NET).

These are the journeys of the Israelites, who went out of the land of Egypt by their divisions under the authority of Moses and Aaron.

This chapter details the path of wandering in the desert. Repeating their history was important to the people for several reasons. As a practical matter there was little written down, aside from what God called Moses to record. The story of their journey from slavery to the Promised Land was essential to their faith. By repeating their ordeal and the fact they could never have made it without God’s love and protection, they deepen their connection to Him. In an age where we can do an electronic search instantly, memorization may seem like an archaic skill. However, remembering God’s presence with us through Scripture brings us closer to Him and His purpose for us.

Gracious God, we are sometimes memory challenged when it comes to thanking You. Everything that exists comes from Your love and goodness. Forgive our forgetfulness and help us to share the joy of salvation with the world. Amen.

Our scripture today is Numbers 28:6 (NET).

It is a continual burnt offering that was instituted on Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord.

We have looked at the sacrificial system before in Numbers. We remember that it goes back to the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis. God calls us to give back a portion of what we have been given in blessing for His purposes. We learn that it provides sustenance for the priests and their families. Most importantly, it prepared God’s people for the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, His only Son. We know that through His obedience, we can be forgiven and become part of God’s plan for us.

Loving Lord, we are amazed and humbled that You ask us to be Your stewards in the world. Help us to see that everything is a gift from Your goodness, to be used for the good of all Your children. May we be a living sacrifice! Amen.

Our scripture this morning is Numbers 27:22-23 (NET).

So Moses did as the Lord commanded him; he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community. He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the Lord commanded, by the authority of Moses.

In many churches we recognize people who serve in various ways through commissioning them during a worship service. The pastor and sometimes the entire congregation lay hands on them and pray for their ministry. These verses reflect the beginning of that tradition, as leadership of the people transitions from Moses to Joshua. God called Joshua to this position, as He calls all of us to kingdom work. Being recognized for our contribution is not important, our joy is that God has a part for each one of us in His plan.

Loving Lord, we are humbled that You call us by name to be part of Your work in creation. May we be energetic disciples, sharing the Good News everywhere. Amen.