Highlights In Today's Reading:
Pay special attention to this powerful chapter that has been used by the Holy Spirit to bring many to receive Christ as their Savior as well as to warn of the destruction of those who ignore Him.
Moses' final appeal to the Israelite nation was to make them understand that their security in Canaan depended upon being submissive to God: Hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God . . . to do all His Commandments . . . And all these blessings shall come on thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God (28:1-2). Then he solemnly warned them of the consequences of sin: Because thou servedst not the Lord with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart . . . Therefore shall thou serve thine enemies . . . in hunger . . . and in want of all things. . . . And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other. . . . And among these nations shalt thou find no ease . . . but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart, and . . . sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life (28:47-48,64-66).
Many have never realized the relationship that obedience to God has to contentment and enjoyment of life. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding. . . . to fear the Lord our God, for our good always. . . . Therefore shall ye keep all the Commandments . . . that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land. . . . Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you . . . which ye shall command your children to observe to do. . . . because it is your life (4:6; 6:24; 11:8; 32:46-47).
Jesus declared: 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 (disclose) Myself to him (John 14:21).
A seed will sprout in low-quality soil, but will not grow into a healthy and useful plant unless the soil in which it grows has the necessary nutrients. The same thing is true spiritually. Just as plants need good soil to produce, we need spiritual nourishment from the Word of God. The person who lives a victorious Christian life sets aside time every day for reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with God to receive this nourishment.
If ye know these things, happy (blessed) are ye if ye do them (John 13:17).
Thought for Today:
Many people feel that being submissive is a sign of weakness, but the children of God know that obedience to the Word of God is the source of their strength.
Christ Portrayed:
As the One from whom our blessings come (Deut. 28:1-2). Blessed be . . . God . . . who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings . . . in Christ (Eph. 1:3).
Word Studies:
28:4 fruit of thy body =children; fruit of thy ground=produce; fruit of thy cattle =offspring; 28:7 smitten =struck, defeated; 28:11 plenteous =abundant; 28:13 observe =obey; 28:14 go aside =turn aside, deviate; 28:20 vexation =confusion, frustration; 28:21 pestilence =disease; consumed =destroyed; 28:23 iron =unproductive; 28:26 fray them away =scare them off; 28:27 botch =possibly boils; emerods =possibly ulcers or tumors; 28:28 madness =insanity; astonishment of heart =bewilderment; 28:29 spoiled =robbed, exploited; 28:32 fail with longing =yearn for, suffer emotionally; 28:33 eat up =take away; 28:38 consume =devour; 28:40 coasts =territory, borders; cast =crop off before ripe; 28:41 go into captivity =be taken as slaves; 28:43 within thee =living among you; 28:44 head =chief, leader; 28:46 seed =descendants; 28:48 a yoke of iron =oppression; 28:49 tongue =language; 28:50 regard =respect; 28:52 fenced =fortified; 28:53 straitness =hardship; 28:55 distress =oppress; 28:56 tender =young; delicate =weak; evil =hostile; 28:58 fear => have reverential heartfelt submission to; fearful =awe-inspiring; 28:59 plagues =diseases; wonderful =great; 28:67 even =right; 28:68 bondmen =male slaves.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka Shortwave Broadcasts to Bangladesh sponsored by Shirley Johnson Evangelist/Missionary • English International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Clarita Talbot • Staff: Rita Guerra • Country: Costa Rica (4 million) in Central America • Major languages: Spanish and English • Religious freedom is increasing • 90% Roman Catholic; 6% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for (not against) your enemies (Luke 6:28).
Optional Reading: John 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 5:12