A spiral galaxy millions of light years away.
A Present God very near in our midst.
From Canaan to the Present.
Adopted as His own.
Called to be holy.
Chosen.
In Deut 14:1-2, Moses recants three distinguishing privileges:
ADOPTED AS HIS SON~
"You are the sons of the LORD, your God," because you need a father.
CALLED TO BE HOLY ~
"You are a people holy to the LORD, your God," because you are not.
CHOSEN BY GRACE ~
"The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His Treasured Possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth," not because of who you are, because of His Grace all over you.
"Our heavenly Father forbids nothing but for our welfare. Do thyself no harm; do not ruin thy health, thy reputation, thy domestic comforts, thy peace of mind. Especially do not murder thy soul." Matthew Henry.
Take Care ~
Lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and ... "your eye look grudgingly" ... Deut 15:9. What a haunting thought. Unworthy thoughts. Oh God!
PRAYER FROM PSALMS
Psalm 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of men, that they are but a breath, vanity.
"How long must I wrestle with my thoughts...Consider and Answer me, O LORD, my God.
But! I have trusted in your Steadfast Love." Psalm 13:2, 5
Psalm 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of men, that they are but a breath, vanity.
"How long must I wrestle with my thoughts...Consider and Answer me, O LORD, my God.
But! I have trusted in your Steadfast Love." Psalm 13:2, 5
Image: Smithsonian "Galaxy"
God only forbids things that will bring us harm. So many think that He is a God with a list of dos and don'ts, yet He really is not that way. He only wants the very best for us and He so graciously, generously tells us what is not good for us and what His best is for us. We only bring harm to ourselves when we choose what harms us and then blame everyone and everything but ourselves.He does tell us we are holy....we are only Holy because of Christ who dwells in us, everything else is garbage.
ReplyDeleteDeuteronomy 16:21 “You shall not plant for yourself an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the Lord your God, which you shall make for yourself. 22 You shall not set up for yourself a sacred pillar which the Lord your God hates."
ReplyDeleteA warning to keep myself sacred for God. Don't let things of the world distract me from Him. God not only doesn't like things that lead us away from Him, He hates it. Stand firm, be on guard.
We have been studying the Minor prophets on Sunday Nights. Last night we finished Zephaniah. My favorite promise was as follows:
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing."