True Justice

Deuteronomy 24:17-22 -  "True justice must be given to foreigners living among you and to orphans, and you must never accept a widow's garment in pledge of her debt.  Always remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I have given you this command.  "When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don't go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all you do.  When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don't go over the boughs twice. Leave some of the olives for the foreigners, orphans, and widows.  This also applies to the grapes in your vineyard. Do not glean the vines after they are picked, but leave any remaining grapes for the foreigners, orphans, and widows.  Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. That is why I am giving you this command.

 

Moses continues to deliver many seemingly random rules for living…but except for the command to be careful of leprosy…all the rules in this chapter seem to deal with how we treat each other. He tells us that ‘true justice’ should rule our thoughts and actions…especially with those that find themselves widows…orphans…or poor foreigners in a land. He told them to always find a way to purposely leave something for them in the fields…or olive groves…or vineyards…so that they could go and glean the extra to sustain them in their hardship.  He called their attention to the fact they too had suffered once…and they should never forget how God provided for them in their slavery. 

 

We really should not have to be reminded to treat all people properly …if we truly love God...and he has taken up residence in our hearts…then his love should naturally overflow into our actions toward others.  We should look purposely for ways to help all those which God leads to cross our paths….because we will always have those in our midst that need our help.  Deuteronomy 15:11 says…. “ For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”

 

A google search of Bible verses on the subject quickly overloaded my brain…but the book of Matthew seemed to win the prize of ‘best advice given on helping the less fortunate.’  And I must add that the term…less fortunate…doesn’t always describe the poor.  The world is full of people who hide the pain life has caused their soul…they look as stable and average as the next person. Every teenager dressed in an Abercrombie T-shirt is not as well off as you might think.  People have become masters at ‘looking’ the part…when in reality…their lives are a hidden mess…known only to the four walls they hide in each night.  I am thinking that is why Matthew recorded these great words of Jesus…. in Matthew 25:35-40 … “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’  We never truly know how one simple…random….act of kindness touches someone’s life…possibly exposing them to God’s love for the first time.

 

We might truly be some of these loving human’s last hope for a connection to God that might save their lives.  That teen who sits in my classroom ...in his name brand shirt...might be considering running away…or worse.  That businessman you said hello to this morning at the cleaners…is trying to figure out whether to claim bankruptcy and try to figure what words he will use to let his family know their life is changing drastically in the next week.  That lady sitting across from you in church is struggling with the abuse in her life…and could really benefit if you looked close….and noticed the bruise she is hiding with all that make up you just made fun of her for.  I guarantee that Satan is working on a plan to keep them confused.

 

Father…how sweetly you remind me that I should always be thinking about how I can show your love to others.  I thank you that you gave these great words to Moses…and placed them in just the right ‘spots’ in your Bible…so that I will see them many times.  Help me to never be satisfied that I am doing enough for others ….help me to always search for new ways to share your love… and reach those that might be hiding their pain and emptiness behind some ‘name brand’ façade…or seemingly successful business…or makeup.  Help me to really see into the souls of those you lead close enough for me to whisper words of comfort…or wisdom…or truth.  Amen.

 

Here’s a link to a great song by Casting Crowns… Does Anybody Hear Her.  It brought me to tears this morning…there are so many hurting people out there…afraid to share their pain. God help us all to be a light to these hurting souls.       http://youtu.be/OEhRucEVzH8       

Keep Your Promises

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 -  "When you make a vow to the LORD your God, be prompt in doing whatever you promised him. For the LORD your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows. If you don't, you will be guilty of sin.  However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow.  But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to do as you have said, for you have made a vow to the LORD your God.

 

This is the second time Moses has told us how important it is to keep the vows we make to God. The first time was in Numbers 30:2…..when he said… “If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” Promises are binding …forever.

 

We’ve all been in that spot…where we have reached the end of our rope...and instead of just asking God to take over…and trust that he  has a plan…we start a dialogue that tells God we will change…if he will help us this one last time.  Then as soon as things are better…causes God seems to always grant these requests….we go back to our old ways…and forget the promise we made to God. According to Moses…we had better rethink this way of reasoning with God. For if we made any kind of promise to him…he expects us to keep our word….forever…and he will hold us accountable.

 

God wants our actions to come from a heart that loves him…not a heart that expects favors because we promised him some extra good behavior in return.  It makes me remember….sometimes in my children’s teen years…how they would want something really bad…and they would promise to do something …if I would buy them something…or allow them to spend the night with a friend. I also remember the disappointment sometimes when I would go to their room…and see the mess they left…which broke the promise.  I guess that is how God feels…when we make promises to him…and not keep them…but his disappointment must be a billion times greater.

 

This is such a strong reminder to me this morning…that my love for God should compel me to always consider what he would want first…I should be driven to do all that he wants….without asking anything in return. I should be so focused and tuned into his voice…that I know what he wants…and just do it…because I know that is what he wants.

 

Father…help me to listen to your still small voice and know that you are God.  Help me to trust you so deeply that I don’t feel the need to promise you something to know that you are caring for my needs. Let my only vow to God be to love him forever…and walk in his ways…and search for his perfect will for my life. Forgive me for the times that I have made a promise…then forgot it…or not asked for the strength to keep it.  Renew my love for you this morning…and help me remember all the promises I once made…so I can fulfill my vows to you. Amen.

Love Your Neighbor

Deuteronomy 22:1-4 -  "If you see your neighbor's ox or sheep wandering away, don't pretend not to see it. Take it back to its owner.  If it does not belong to someone nearby or you don't know who the owner is, keep it until the owner comes looking for it; then return it.  Do the same if you find your neighbor's donkey, clothing, or anything else your neighbor loses. Don't pretend you did not see it.  "If you see your neighbor's ox or donkey lying on the road, do not look the other way. Go and help your neighbor get it to its feet!

 

Moses is sure to tell them that loving God means they love their neighbor too….by helping them…by caring for lost things…or assisting them when they needed help with tasks that were too great for one. If our hearts understand the love of our father…then they imitate the way he cares for each of us….it becomes a natural thing…to love others…to actually look for ways to help them.

 

God knew people would fight this simple rule…so he placed other verses in the Bible to make sure we were reminded often…to care for others.  Stretched from Leviticus 19:18…which says… “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” …to Mark 12:29-31…where Jesus himself addressed the issue with these words…. “ Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.'  The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." 

 

Let’s see…how did John 3:16 put it…for God so loved…the entire world…that he gave his only son. I sure can’t top that….I just can’t fathom the love he had for me...that compelled him to give up his son …to a horrible death on a cross…to save me from my sin.  But I can become his servant…and love as many people as he has cross my path…with my smile…with a kind word…with an invite to church…or even a more tangible gesture of love…like cooking a meal for a sick friend…or buying gas for a stranded traveler begging on the road.

 

Moses used the words…don’t look the other way! So I am thinking of all the times I made excuses not to help someone ….because they didn’t look safe enough…or I was in a hurry…or I was angry that they thought bumming on the side of the road was okay in the first place.  In God’s eyes …it may make the few times I carefully picked who to help not count toward following this rule….cause my attitude wasn’t quite right for every time I had an opportunity to help.

 

Father…I thank you for the reminder that everyone you gave life to is my neighbor…and I need to love them like I love you.  Help me to embrace the task of being your eyes and ears on Earth…and search for ways to show your love to not just those I know….but to all the people you carefully choose to cross my path...cause you know I have what they need to understand a little more about you.  Give me courage and discernment…to know when and how to help those you send my way. Help me embrace your love by showing it to others…no matter who they are…or what they look like.  Amen.

No Longer Cursed

Deuteronomy 21:22-23 -  "If someone has committed a crime worthy of death and is executed and then hanged on a tree, the body must never remain on the tree overnight. You must bury the body that same day, for anyone hanging on a tree is cursed of God. Do not defile the land the LORD your God is giving you as a special possession.

 

Moses had so many random instructions in this chapter…how to go about cleansing an entire town from the guilt of an unsolved murder….how to take a wife from a city they had captured…how to treat unruly children…and how long a body must be left exposed after dying on a cross. Moses wanted these people to know that there was a Godly way to handle every situation in their lives…and he would not be pleased with them if they went about their lives in any other way.

 

I admit…this chapter was very hard for me…it contains lots of rules that would be impossible for me to follow in the America I was born. I would be accused of animal cruelty if I broke the neck of a young cow…not to mention the difficulty I would probably have getting my preacher to come wash his hands over it to ask God to cleanse my town of any guilt from an unsolved murder. Bigamy is against the law here… no judge in our country would ever offer stoning as a possible punishment for a young person’s rebellious issues…and we just don’t use the cross for death sentences anymore.

 

And so I found myself meditating and praying for some extra wisdom on this chapter….for God wanted to reveal something of importance to us…even if the lesson is embedded in the rules for a culture long ago. I finally stumbled over a commentary that referred me to the wonderful passage that Paul wrote in Galatians 3:10-14… “ For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

 

I just can’t imagine what it was like for Jesus that horrible day. He took on the curse of all men as he hung on that tree…and opened a door of faith to all who wanted to accept this act of love. I am no longer bound by the rules of a people chosen by God to inhabit a ‘Promised Land’….Jesus’ death and resurrection gave me the victory over all these petty rules…and gave me a new way to follow his 10 pure commands….a way based on the faith I have in the promises he made to all….to love us…and care for us…and give us guidance for a world he knew would corrupt itself again.

 

Sometimes I think having all those specific rules might have made it easier...but it probably was just as hard for them to follow a set of specific rules…as it is for me to pray about each thing I do…and ask in faith what is right.  Jesus’ present to all of us was an individual relationship with God the father…with the added benefit of having Jesus himself and the Holy Spirit as best friends. He still bases all of his directions to us on the concept of pure justice…tempered with a bit of mercy…so that all of us can have at least one second chance to get it right.

 

Father… I thank you for the present you gave me in your son.  Help me to never take for granted how he opened up a way for me to be one of your beloved children…and receive the full promises of your holy word.  Make it a priority in my life to always stop and ask you how to proceed in any situation….so that I can always model your great love that is fair…yet merciful to all. Increase the faith I have this morning…and help me use it to rely fully on you for everything I need.  Help me release the things of this world that might expose me to evil and water down the relationship I could have with you if I keep my thought pure and holy.  Amen.

No Fear...God is With You

Deuteronomy 20:1-4 -  "When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The LORD your God, who brought you safely out of Egypt, is with you! Before you go into battle, the priest will come forward to speak with the troops.  He will say, 'Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight today! Do not lose heart or panic.  For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!'

 

Moses knew they were going to see some pretty tough times. The people they were going to drive out of the Promised land were strong people…who lived in fortified cities….that had trained military. Moses planted these words of strength and courage into their souls…to make sure they knew that the God they served was going before them…to fight for them. His words were meant to strike a boldness in their hearts…that quickened their step…and gave new purpose to their feet.

 

God wants all of us to take these great words of strength and courage to heart…for Satan creates a new battle for us to fight every day.  Satan wants us to believe that we are alone…and the fight is futile…and just give up.  Satan wants us to see the situation we find ourselves in…as hopeless…and just give up….and never even fight.

 

These words God gave Moses were mirrored throughout the rest of the Bible.  Isaiah 52:12 says…. “For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your reward. Joshua 1:9 says… “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Psalm 23:4 says…. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  There are many more…but I just have to include Paul’s inspiring writing in Romans 8:31…. “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

 

That great new song is playing in my head by the Newsboys…that says….. “God’s not dead…he’s surely alive…he’s living on the inside… roaring like a lion. He wants to come alive on the inside of each of us and empower us to throw off any old baggage that Satan is using to keep us bound in fear.  That fear folks is keeping you from doing God’s perfect will…it is stopping you from knowing just what your promised land even is.

 

God is a God of power and strength….and courage.  He wants us to be so in love with him that nothing can keep us from following him into the battle of our lives.  He wants to free us from all our fears and empower us to work for him…no matter what he calls us to do.

 

Father...I thank you for these words you gave to Moses.  Help me to take them to heart this morning and never forget that I am never alone.  You have sent to Earth the Holy Spirit to walk with me and hold my hand through any battle Satan creates to sidetrack me from knowing you as fully as I can.  Help me to claim the promise of victory through your word. Amen.

 

 

http://youtu.be/S_OTz-lpDjw

Refuge for the Innocent

Deuteronomy 19:4-7 - .  "If someone accidentally kills a neighbor without harboring any previous hatred, the slayer may flee to any of these cities and be safe.  For example, suppose someone goes into the forest with a neighbor to cut wood. And suppose one of them swings an ax and the ax head flies off the handle, killing the other person. In such cases, the slayer could flee to one of the cities of refuge and be safe.  If the distance to the nearest city of refuge was too far, an enraged avenger might be able to chase down and kill the person who caused the death. The slayer would die, even though there was no death sentence and the first death had been an accident.  That is why I am commanding you to set aside three cities of refuge.

 

Moses instructed them to set aside 3 cities in the new land to be places of refuge.  They were to be spaced evenly apart and easily assessable. The roads were to be kept in good condition.  These cities would become safe havens for those that God allowed accidents to happen….accidents that would take the life of another human…accidents that would hurt the loved ones so much they might become enraged…and try to avenge their death without consulting God.

 

We might be tempted to skip over these verses as unimportant…as instructions for just the Israelites…in a day and time that has passed and no longer relevant to us today…but God included them in his Bible as an example of how we must always balance justice with mercy.  Some things just happen…they are no one person’s fault….and God does not intend that they should be punished. A hunter’s bullet deflected from a tree…a slick road caused the car to skid too far in one direction…or a baby wanders out of a home into a busy street.  All accidents…no fault can be found in the deaths that result.

 

God knows the human heart…and Satan’s ability to twist the hurt from loss into an anger that distorts the situation …and makes a person think that some punishment will heal their hurt.  He knew that the temptation to avenge some loved ones accidental death would cause even greater hurt….so he instructed them to always have a place for an innocent man to live...in safety and peace.  God made sure that someone always had a place to live…while the truth was decided.

 

It couldn’t have been easy for a person to run to one of these cities. They would have to leave their families…and all the friends they loved….and gone to a strange place....full of unknowns.  The pain in their hearts must have been great…when they realized that they would need the refuge of one of these cities…and said goodbye to their families and friends….until the high priest appointed at the time had died.  For most that found it necessary to go there…it was for life.

 

God’s purest intentions are that the punishment always fit the crime…for the rest of this chapter is devoted to how to deal with false witnesses and those that have intentionally lied or murdered.  He wasn’t merciful to them at all…for verse 21 says…. “ You must never show pity! Your rule should be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”  Intentional murder deserves the full punishment available…but accidents happen...and should be forgiven…and not allowed to affect the future of anyone’s life.

 

Father…I thank you for the reminder of how I am always to consider the intentions of someone…before I consider my feelings about what they have done.  Help me to always see the truth of a situation…with your eyes of mercy…so that justice will always prevail…the way you intended.  Guard my heart against the tricks of Satan…and keep me from feeling anger.  Fill my heart with your compassion and love…and help me to always seek the truth.  Amen.

Ask God Your Future

Deuteronomy 18:9-14 -   "When you arrive in the land the LORD your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there.  For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling or sorcery, or allow them to interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft,  or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.  Anyone who does these things is an object of horror and disgust to the LORD. It is because the other nations have done these things that the LORD your God will drive them out ahead of you.  You must be blameless before the LORD your God.  The people you are about to displace consult with sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the LORD your God forbids you to do such things.

 

Moses sure laid it out in plain language for them.  The land God was giving them used some pretty detestable ways to try and be successful.  They sacrificed their children to Gods in hopes that they would be blessed.  They had mediums and sorcerers read their futures.  They practiced witchcraft. Moses said that these things were detestable to God…and that was why God was allowing them to be driven out of the land he wanted the Israelites to possess.

 

Except for the child sacrifice part…most of these practices can still be found in many places …people are tricked into believing that some of these things are actually okay…a form of ‘white’ magic meant to help people.  But God is clear here…these things are detestable to him…because their power comes from Satan…and if we are using Satan’s power…we are not relying on God’s. Even one harmless google to a horoscope site….can be the beginning of Satan’s influence…and time not spent praying to God instead.

 

God does not speak to us through tea leaves….or ouija boards..…or crystal balls…or taro cards.  He does not tell us our future or give us advice through internet horoscope sites…those fortune cookies are printed up in mass...there is simply no ‘easy’ way to understand what God has in store for your life.  He wants us to read his Bible…pray…and take our counsel from those that have studied the word before us. He wants us to develop a close relationship with him…and learn to listen to his voice.

 

Father…I thank you for the reminder this morning that you and you alone can help me understand what you placed me here to do. Only you know the plans you have for me…..and they are plans to prosper me and not to harm me…your plans to give me hope and a future will only be found in careful prayer…Bible study…and counsel from Godly people. Help me this day to recognize the tricks of Satan that try to tell me I can find your will an easier way. Reveal to me any of these practices that Moses warned me of…so I can quickly dismiss them and Satan’s influence over my relationship with you. Amen.