Too often we as Christians don't "like" reading the Old Testament. It seems old, archaic, gruesome, and boring. It is difficult for us to understand or relate. And sometimes we even think it doesn't really matter since Jesus came as a "fulfillment" of the Law (or Old Testament). We somehow think that it doesn't really apply. I have been, and probably will continue at times to be, guilty of not appreciating the Old Testament. But, as I re-discovered this morning, we can really miss out on some awesome truth. Read the following from Deuteronomy 10:12-22.
"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good? Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it. The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt with seventy persons, and now the Lord your God has made you as the stars of heaven in the multitude."
What truly comforting words of encouragement and truth. Examine just some of the truths from the passage:
1. What does require of us but to fear Him and to love Him and to obey Him?
2. Heaven, the Highest Heavens, and the Earth - all belong to the Lord. We don't have to worry. 3. We were chosen by God. He loves us. 4. God is mighty and awesome. 5. He administers justice and loves the stranger. We don't have to fear injustice or hate.
6. He sets an example of how we are to deal with justice and mercy. 7. He is our God, He does great things for us.
Oh, how these truly differ from the worldly way. And oh, how they really are different than other major religions. As these words brought comfort to me today, I hope they will encourage and inspire you.
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