Deuteronomy 15 - 10.27.21
Scripture
Deuteronomy 15:7-8
If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhearted and freely lend them whatever they need.
Observation
Although this chapter is another chapter that simply lays out the law of the Israelites during this time, the premise of giving is still a valuable one today. In addition, giving is not something that is to be seen as a chore but rather something that is done from the heart.
Understanding
Again, I realize that this passage is a continuation of the laws of the Israelites, but I really like the sentiment of giving in this passage. It highlights the heart attitude of what giving should be. First of all, I think that it is extremely ironic that it says to “freely lend” because giving inherently means there is a cost. The cost of giving is different for everyone, but it is a cost that must be observed and “freely given.” That sentiment of “free” I think is in correspondence to the attitude behind our sentiment. That is, giving should be done from a place of not expecting anything in return.
I have to be completely honest, when it comes to money I really am the most frugal person you will ever meet. It is not a good thing. I used to think it was, but as time goes on I realize it is somewhat selfish. So imagine my frustration when my dad asks me to buy lunch for him out of “the goodness of my heart.” Quite honestly when I “lend” him lunch I am not doing it for “free.” The attitude behind my sentiment is more often than not negative, as I am expecting that he pays for my lunch next time. That being said, this verse is a perfect reminder to check my heart when giving (especially when I am giving financially).
Life Application
Maybe you aren’t like me, and you love to lavish all the blessings on people no matter the cost. To that I say: good for you! But to those of you who approach giving in a tightfisted manner, I challenge you to take someone to lunch today and you pay for them (and expect nothing in return). I know its tough, but good things in life are often difficult but really rewarding.
-Allison Khan
P.S. Dad you actually owe me lunch. 😀
Deuteronomy 14
SCRIPTURE:
Deuteronomy 14:12
"For you are a holy people belonging to the Lord your God. The Lord has chosen you to be His possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth."
OBSERVATION:
For most of this chapter, Moses talked about the forbidden practices of food; what and what not they were suppose to eat. He also talked about the importance of tithing; giving a tenth of all the produce that was grown in their fields.
But...at the very beginning of the chapter, before Moses got into the subject of food and tithing, he reminded God's people who they were; holy people belonging to the Lord, chosen by God to be His possession. Out of all the people on the face of the earth, God chose them! And, because of the way they shared their faith, the message of God's love has continued to be passed down throughout the generations, on to us!
UNDERSTANDING:
We don't have a lot of the same laws and regulations to follow today that the Israelites had back then, but what we DO and DON'T DO as Christ followers has everything to do with what we believe about God AND ourselves.
LIFE APPLICATON:
As Moses reminded the people who they were, we also need to remind ourselves Who God is, and who we are in Christ. We have been chosen by God, and He calls us holy and righteous, only because of what Jesus did on the cross for us.
"Holiness is to be carried into all parts of life. We can't restrict holiness only to the spiritual side; we must be holy in the everyday practical part of life as well. Health practices, finances, use of leisure, - all provide opportunities to put holiness into daily living." (Footnotes: NIV Life Application Bible).
We are God's treasured possession! Not because of anything we did, but because of His great love for us. "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 7:9).
Thank You God for choosing me. I have been saved, forgiven, called, and separated by You Lord. I pray I will never forget Who You are, and will always remember all the wonderful things You've done for me because of Your great love. I may not always feel holy, but that is how You see me because of my new identity in Christ. I pray that I will rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to help me live according to my new identity in Christ, and to live up to my name as Your treasured possession!
-Robin Orefice
Psalm 27
Scripture:
Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Observation:
David, who writes these verses, by now in his life, has seen plenty of turmoil. The turmoil he has experienced could jeopardize his peace, sense of security, and even his future. And yet, he boldly declares that he remains confident that he will see with his own eyes the goodness of God in the world around him. He also encourages all of us to not panic and rush to actions of our own doing, ahead of God, but to “be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Understanding:
We also encounter plenty of turmoil in our day that threatens our confidence of the present and future. Confidence is not something you choose; confidence is the fruit of experience. David had numerous experiences where God proved Himself in times of uncertainty and turmoil. David could not have successfully “waited on God” if he was not fully convinced by earlier encounters whereby he had experienced God’s faithfulness. He discovered it is a worthwhile decision to “wait on God.” His confidence grew with each encounter.
Life Application:
The question I must ask myself is: “are there decisions I can make that will increase my own confidence as I “wait for the Lord”? The answer is, of course, yes!
I can choose to develop the habit of daily listening to God in His Word and by His Spirit through prayer and worship with an awareness of discerning needed application of His wisdom to my life activities and choices.
I can choose to “walk by faith not by sight”. Someone defined faith as “simply trusting God enough to do what He says.” My choice will be to put His principles, wisdom and guidance into my practice even when human reason, fear and doubt threaten to restrain me.
I can choose to journal my journey of faith as experiences in which I have discovered God’s faithfulness, lest I forget the lessons learned and the interventions of God in time of need.
I can choose to see the big picture of God’s transforming work in me rather than leaning on individual outcomes to measure whether I can confidently trust Him or not. If I don’t do this, I will be tempted to imagine that my own agenda for self includes ease and comfort that might not help in my transformation into His image. I must learn to trust in Him and rely on Him even when it doesn’t make sense in the natural. Why? Because He is faithful, and I am confident that life with Him is far better than life directed and lived by me, for me.
Lord, help me always as your Word encourage, for me to do, “set my eyes on things above, not things below.” With you at the steering wheel of my life, I know, I will see the goodness of God in the land of the living, even in my day. With confidence, I wait on You rather than pushing forward my will and agenda.
Hallelujah for Jesus
-Gary Hebden
Gary Hebden has been a pastor in Open Bible Churches for 45 years; serving as the district director for the Northeast District of the Pacific Region for the last 27 years while pastoring The Intersection Church in Spokane Valley, Washington until retiring from the pastorate in 2020. He loves the Lord, His family, and friends to the very core of his heart and soul. “The wisdom, counsel and encouragement of the Word of God has proven to be irreplaceable in navigating this life. Hallelujah for Jesus!”