I commend to you the importance of fullness in prayer…. I am afraid the private devotions of many are most painfully scanty and limited; just enough to prove they are alive and no more. They really seem to want little from God.
– J. C. Ryle
Tag: Christian Life
Reflections on Deuteronomy 18-22
Our passage today announces another prophet and then presents numerous instructions for the people of Israel to follow as they enter the land.
- New Prophet – Moses predicts the coming of another great prophet. The New Testament clearly applies this prophecy to Jesus (Acts 3:22-23; 7:37). We must listen to him. Are you?
- Do not fear – When the people of Israel went into battle, they were instructed not to be afraid because the Lord would be with them to fight for them. What battles are you facing in your life? You need not fear for the Lord is with you to help you.
- Laws, Laws, Laws – What to do with all these laws? Laws that restate the 10 Commandments are universal laws we should apply to our lives. Many laws apply the 10 Commandments to life at that time, which may need to be reapplied for our day. Punishments are civil laws to govern the nation of Israel under the Mosaic Covenant, and are not binding on us today. Other laws that are not clearly universal laws belong to the Mosaic Covenant but may teach important principles for us to live by. What can you learn from the laws in our passage today?
- Cursed on a tree – A man who is hung on a tree is cursed by God (21:22-23). As we will see, a man who fails to keep God’s commands is also cursed (27:26). Since we are disobedient, we are under God’s curse. But Jesus took our curse upon himself by being hung on a tree that we might be saved (see Galatians 3:10-14).
Classic Quote
The redeemed have all their objective good in God. God himself is the great good which they are brought to the possession and enjoyment of by redemption. He is the highest good, and the sum of all that good which Christ purchased. God is the inheritance of the saints; he is the portion of their souls. God is their wealth and treasure, their food, their life, their dwelling place, their ornament and diadem, and their everlasting honor and glory. They have none in heaven but God; he is the great good which the redeemed are received to at death, and which they are to rise to at the end of the world.
– Jonathan Edwards
Deuteronomy 18-26: Laws, Laws, Laws!
(19-21) Our passage this week is filled with laws – and many are further explanations and applications of the Ten Commandments. Let’s consider just one – the sixth commandment – you shall not murder. How do you see this commandment explained and applied to Israel in these chapters?
Are these explanations and applications directly applicable for us today? Why or why not?
Are there principles we might learn from these explanations and applications that would be applicable for us today? What might they be?
(25) That we are right to take principles from the Law of Moses and apply those principles to our lives today is demonstrated by Paul. What principle does Paul take from verse 4 that he applies to the church today in I Corinthians 9:7-11?
(18, 22-25) The context of the passage suggests some laws are universal laws by calling the breaking of that law an “abomination to the Lord.” How might we need to specifically apply each of these laws to our world today?
- 18:9-14 –
- 22:5 –
- 23:17-18 –
- 24:1-4 –
- 25:13-16 –
(13, 18) Moses predicts the coming of another prophet who will give God’s commands. What must God’s people do in response to this prophet (8:15, 18-19)?
What tests must a true prophet pass (13:1-5, 18:20-22)?
Who is this prophet (John 6:14, 7:40, Acts 3:18-24, 7:37)?
(21, 27) Who is cursed by God according to 21:23 and 27:26? How did Jesus address our curse (Galatians 3:10-14)?
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
How To Pray When Your Soul Is Bone Dry – Tim Challies
There are times when your soul feels bone dry, when even opening your mouth to pray seems an impossibility. What do you do?
You Can Change – Tim Chester (Crossway)
Jesus came to remake us in God’s image. Jesus took our brokenness, our hatred, and our curse on himself on the cross. He took the penalty of our sin and in its place gave us a new life and new love. God is in the business of change. He’s interested in making us like Jesus.
Don’t Waste Your Summer – Kevin DeYoung
What can we do to make the most of June, July, and August? Here are twenty suggestions.
10 Reasons Why the Church Gathers – Casey Lewis (FTC)
As Christians, we should all desire to gather together with one another as often as possible. As motivation, here are ten reasons why gathering regularly with the church is important.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!
Restyle
Biblical truth reforms and restyles the believer’s life.
– Ian Hamilton in What Is Experiential Calvinism?
Worship
Above all else, worship is an encounter with the living, true, holy, sovereign, triune God of the universe. He chooses to meet with us by His Word and Spirit, and there is nothing as meaningful, rich, and glorious on earth as the church gathered together with its Lord and Savior in worship.
– Jason Helopoulos in Tabletalk (May 2016)
What Christianity Is…and Isn’t
We find here that Christianity is not about becoming religious. It is not about conforming to a list of rules. It is not about adopting a philosophy. It is not about financial prosperity. It is not about becoming a nice person. It is about becoming a new person. It is about going from death to life. It is about going from darkness to light.
– Tony Merida in Exalting Jesus in Ephesians
Prayer Quote of the Week
I commend to you the importance of perseverance in prayer. Once having begun the habit, never give it up….let no excuse make you give up prayer.
– J. C. Ryle
Classic Quote
The glorious excellencies and beauty of God will be what will forever entertain the minds of the saints, and the love of God will be their everlasting feast.
– Jonathan Edwards
Brian J. Mikul 