Highlights In Today's Reading:
Still on the east side of the Jordan River outside Canaan the Israelites defeat a giant king. Do you notice the size of his bed? Moses can't enter the promised land — emphasizing the importance of doing the will of God and not claiming credit to self for what God is doing. Catch the real reason God created the sun, moon, and stars — for regulations of seasons — not for worship or fortune-telling (4:19; Genesis 1:14).
The new generation of Israel that had grown up in the wilderness realized the reason their parents, who were delivered from Egyptian slavery, failed to enter the promised land. The desert wanderings ceased as they settled into the west side of the Jordan within the promised land. Houses replaced the tents and produce from the land replaced the manna; but, most precious of all, they experienced a new revelation of God — the revelation of His love! From creation in Genesis through the Book of Numbers, the love of God was never made known until it was revealed in Deuteronomy. For the first time during the hundreds of years of recorded history, the people heard: Because He loved thy fathers, therefore He chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in His sight with His mighty power out of Egypt . . . to give thee . . . an inheritance (4:37-38). Later we read: the Lord . . . set His love upon you . . . the Lord loved you (7:7-8). And still later: the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee (23:5).
Love is the holiest motive from which God or man can act. The supreme manifestation of the love of God is revealed when we read: God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16) that as many as received Him (Jesus) . . . gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (1:12-13).
Jesus further explained how and why we receive this new nature of God: Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God (3:5-7).
Believe and receive the love-gift of eternal life and let Jesus express His will through you. He said: He that hath My Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him (John 14:21).
Thought for Today:
Our world is often confused as to the difference between love and lust. Real love gives but lust always takes. Remember that God so loved the world, that He gave (John 3:16).
Christ Portrayed:
By Joshua who led the Israelites into their inheritance (Deut. 3:28). Through Jesus we receive His promised inheritance among them which are sanctified (set apart) by faith that is in Me (Acts 26:18).
Word Studies:
3:5 fenced =fortified; 3:7 spoil =plunder; prey =prize of the war; 3:18 meet =fit; 3:28 charge =commission; 4:2 diminish ought =take away anything; 4:10 fear =have reverential heartfelt submission to; 4:13 covenant =binding agreement with qualifications given by God; 4:14 possess =give in; 4:19 divided =allotted; 4:27 heathen =gentile people; 4:30 tribulation =distress, suffering; 4:34 assayed =ever tried; 4:37 seed =descendants; in His sight =by His presence; 4:40 prolong thy days =live long; 4:41 severed =separated; 4:42 unawares =accidentally; hated . . . not =without malice.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for English International Shortwave Broadcasts to Middle East sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Casmir A. Zuranski • English International Shortwave Broadcasts for the month to Africa sponsored by Thomas & Mary Beaghen • Staff: Dr. John A. Hash • Government Officials: Rep. Christopher Carney (PA), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT), Sen. Russell Feingold (WI), and Sen. Ken Salazar (CO) • Country: Cape Verde (405,000) 15 islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 390 miles off the coast of Africa • Major languages: Portuguese and Crioulo • Religious freedom • 91% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Pray the Lord of the harvest to send workers to harvest for Him (Matt. 9:38).
Optional Reading: Luke 17
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:11