Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 26:12-15.
“When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. You shall say before the LORD your God, ‘I have removed the sacred portion from my house, and also have given it to the Levite and the alien, the orphan and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your commandments. I have not eaten of it while mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor offered any of it to the dead. I have listened to the voice of the LORD my God; I have done according to all that You have commanded me. Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel, and the ground which You have given us, a land flowing with milk and honey, as You swore to our fathers.’” Deuteronomy 26:12-15.
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It is true that we should receive God’s blessings, not as if we earned them, but as a matter of God’s grace to us. “For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” I Corinthians 4:7. For additional other examples, see also Psalm 127:2 and Ephesians 2:4-7.
But, the theme of today’s Scripture is that we are encouraged (and even commanded) to believe that there are rewards to obedience. “You shall say before the LORD your God, ‘… I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your commandments. … Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel, …” Verses 13-15.
We will later read in Deuteronomy chapter 28, a detailed and vivid description of specific blessings promised by God if we obey God’s commandments. “Now it shall be, if you diligently obey the LORD your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God:” Deuteronomy 28:1-2.
Ultimately, when we do so, it is a matter of faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.
Even though in the language of Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 114, we “have only a small beginning of this obedience”, we can cry out along with the Psalmist who does so often in Psalm chapter 119, remembering that ultimately what we receive is a matter of God’s mercy a/k/a grace.
“153 Look upon my affliction and rescue me,
For I do not forget Your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.
156 Great are Your mercies, O LORD;
Revive me according to Your ordinances.” Psalm 119:153-156.
“I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.” Psalm 119:94.
“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.” Psalm 119:176.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 