March 18 "Unsuitable Marriage" Deuteronomy 21-23

This young congregation grew up in the desert----very young wanderers in the wilderness. They watched their parents and uncles and aunts struggle deeply for life-giving water and for the Living Water. They had no history of godliness, other than what they saw, and the stories they heard of living in a better place in Egypt---that would be confusing. It was Moses and Aaron against the million dads and moms that raised this new generation. And so many of those adults died in disobedience in the desert...and left this young generation of new moms and dads. And, here is God calling them to be His Treasured Possessions.

So, this new generation prepares to enter this Promised Land. They listen to Moses and the priests---but will they follow? These hard-working herdsmen and back-breaking shepherds are being called to holiness. Purge the evil among you. It’s a strong word about sins like drunkenness, punished by murder. It tells us how God views this evil that swerves hearts from the LORD. Deut 21:21. Stone that young person who refuses to give up his idol of merrymaking. And it is these young people who are being asked to point the fingers at their very own children, calling for their deaths if they rebel and do not turn.  High stakes here.

Sound characters---that’s what God is making
Unsuitable marriages---that’s what God is exposing.
And may He start with me, this day. Purge the evil in my life.

COME BOLDLY: Timeless Prayers
Father, we can blame no one for our actions but they rest on our shoulders. Expose our intentions for what they really are.  This is not about trying hard to do all the right things.  This is all about wrestling with You that we may lay our idols down---anything in heaven or under the earth, even in the seas.  Anything that keeps us distant from You.

PHOTO:  It's hard-work life taking care of animals and children who disobey.  Thinking about the "no-formula life" on this farm in Texas.  We are called to trust in a God Who Has promised us Good all our days.  And that means blind trust in a God Who purges evil from among us.