Deuteronomy 7. 10.01.26

SCRIPTURE

“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God.

The LORD your God has chosen you—out of all the peoples—

on the face of the earth—to be His people—His treasured possession.

The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples—for you were the fewest of all peoples.

But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your

ancestors that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

KNOW therefore that the LORD your God IS God—HE IS—The Faithful God,

keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

OBSERVATION

In Deuteronomy we see how God chose a people—to be holy—His Treasured Possession. God did not choose this people because they were more numerous and stronger than other peoples. God chose them because they were the fewest of all the peoples—SO that HE might display HIS Mighty Power and Glorious works. God gave these people [the Israelites] His Law and Commandments to Live by so they would be set apart from all other peoples of the world. And God made a Covenant of steadfast Love with these people that would carry through to a thousand generations—A lasting Covenant with those who Love Him and Keep His Commandments. It was a stunning Covenant—Promising Blessing and increase in Children, Land, Crops, Cattle and Flocks, Grain, Wine, Oil—and protection from all sickness and diseases, and protection from their enemies. (Deuteronomy 7:13-24).

One thing God specifically warned His people about was to make sure they destroyed every idol, even the gold and silver covering them. Every single idol was an abomination and detestable to God.

““You must burn their idols in fire, and you must not covet the silver or gold that covers them. You must not take it or it will become a trap to you,

for it is detestable to the LORD your God. Do NOT bring any detestable objects into your home, for then—you will be destroyed—just like them. You must utterly detest such things, for they are set apart for destruction.” (Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭25‬-‭26‬)

As the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land they had an ongoing history of grumbling rebellion, fear and distrust, disobedience, and—yes—idolatry.

Although there were a few—a remnant—who were faithful,

as a whole they had been unfaithful—time and time again.

God—The One and Only God—remained Faithful and Steadfast.

“If we are faithless, HE remains faithful— for HE cannot deny himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)

APPLICATION

What was True THEN—is True TODAY

“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9)

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him—

who called you out of darkness—into His marvelous light.”  (1 Peter 2:9)

Believers are chosen by God to be holy—His Treasured Possession.

Believers are not the most numerous people on the earth.

Believers are among the fewest number of people on the earth.

This is SO God might display HIS Mighty Power and Glorious Works.

““You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate.

But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult,

and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬)

“Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that

few of you were wise in the world’s eyes

or powerful—when God called you.

Instead, God chose things the world considers—foolish

in order to shame those who think they are wise.

And God chose things that are—powerless

to shame those who are powerful.

God chose these things…to bring to nothing—

what the world considers important.

As a result, no one can ever boast in the Presence of God.”

‭‭(1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭29‬)

“Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it.

Then He broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying,

“This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

After supper—Jesus took another cup of wine and said,

“This cup—is the NEW COVENANT—between God and His people—

an agreement—confirmed with my blood—

poured out as a sacrifice—for you.” (Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

God Made a New Covenant with His People that was confirmed with Jesus blood which was poured out as a sacrifice for us. A lasting covenant with all who would love Him and believe in Jesus Christ completed work on the cross for their salvation.

God still abhors idols. God will Not share first place in our lives AND God will Not take second place. Just like delayed obedience is disobedience, Second place or equal positioning is NO position for God.

““If you Love your father or mother MORE than you love me,

you are NOT worthy of being mine; or if you Love your son or daughter MORE than me,

you are not worthy of being mine.

If you REFUSE to take up your cross and FOLLOW ME—

you are NOT worthy of being mine.

If you cling to your life, you will lose it;

but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

When Jesus was asked by an expert in religious law to name the most important commandment, Jesus replied:

“You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment.

A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.””

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭40‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Our idols may not be statues made of silver or gold but they are every bit as powerful to lure us away from God seeking first place in our hearts and minds.

When Jesus said we must take up our cross to follow Him, HE was literally saying that we need to be prepared to die—die physically—die to ourselves—our own ideas of what our lives should look like—SO that we can LIVE for Jesus. That’s not fun or easy. And at over 70 yrs old, I can share, it doesn’t get an easier the older you get. I’m thinking this is why Paul used the analogy that he “beat his body into submission” (1 Cor. 9:26). 🥴 I think I’ll stick with praying my way through and seeking greater opportunities for grace in fasting.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

When I think of all this I fall to my knees and humbly say Thank you. Thank You for calling me out of darkness into Your Marvelous Light. Thank You for your steadfast Love, Your mercy and grace, and Your open arms that called me back after a season of disobedience. I have been prideful and arrogant and worldly focused on unimportant matters most of my life. I am so very thankful You gave me my husband and brought us here to Canyon Country and to Desert Streams. I pray You continue to have Your way in me. Empty me. I am surely dust except You place Your Holy Spirit inside of me. Strengthen me by Your Spirit for this season of my life to finish strong and be pointing people to You. Only YOU can build in me what is necessary to live a life wholly pleasing to You. Help me to be living Your commandment out to the fullest measure to Love You with all my heart and to Love others as I love myself. I pray for greater measures of Faith not knowing what this will bring…for to have real faith is to be without and wholly dependent on You. I want to be among the few—faithful—remnant—by Your Grace. Have Your Way Lord Jesus. Have Your Way.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tina L Kudelka