Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 10, 2023

“He has established His throne for judgment, And He will judge the world in righteousness; He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 17:8-13.

“If any case is too difficult for you to decide, between one kind of homicide or another, between one kind of lawsuit or another, and between one kind of assault or another, being cases of dispute in your courts, then you shall arise and go up to the place which the LORD your God chooses.  So you shall come to the Levitical priest or the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall inquire of them and they will declare to you the verdict in the case.  You shall do according to the terms of the verdict which they declare to you from that place which the LORD chooses;  and you shall be careful to observe according to all that they teach you.  According to the terms of the law which they teach you, and according to the verdict which they tell you, you shall do;  you shall not turn aside from the word which they declare to you, to the right or the left.  The man who acts presumptuously by not listening to the priest who stands there to serve the LORD your God, nor to the judge, that man shall die;  thus you shall purge the evil from Israel.  Then all the people will hear and be afraid, and will not act presumptuously again.”  Deuteronomy 17:8-13.

—————–

We have been reading in Scripture about how important justice is to the LORD and His provisions for the administration of justice.  We have been meditating on pillars of justice.

Today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on another pillar of justice which is righteous and wise judges who are able to decide difficult cases.  A companion pillar of justice is the respect and honor that the people give to their judges and their careful obedience to the law and the judgments of their judges.  

But, there is hope!

God is “the Judge of all”.  Hebrews 12:23.

Consider the qualities of God as stated in the following Belgic Confession which make God the perfect Judge of all.

Article 1:  That there is One Only God.

We all believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God;  and that he is eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good.

“7 But the LORD abides forever;
He has established His throne for judgment,
8 And He will judge the world in righteousness;
He will execute judgment for the peoples with equity.” Psalm 9:7-8.

“8 The LORD judges the peoples;
Vindicate me, O Lord, according to my righteousness and my integrity that is in me.
9 O let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous;
For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds.
10 My shield is with God,
Who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.

12 If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword;
He has bent His bow and made it ready.
13 He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons;
He makes His arrows fiery shafts.” Psalm 7:8-13.

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.” Psalm 97:1-3.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 9, 2023

“Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN …”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 17:1-7.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2017&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“If there is found in your midst, in any of your towns, which the LORD your God is giving you, a man or a woman who does what is evil in the sight of the LORD your God, by transgressing His covenant, and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun or the moon or any of the heavenly host, which I have not commanded, and if it is told you and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire thoroughly.  Behold, if it is true and the thing certain that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil deed to your gates, that is, the man or the woman, and you shall stone them to death.  On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death;  he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.  The hand of the witnesses shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people.  So you shall purge the evil from your midst.”  Deuteronomy 17:2-7.

——————

“I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;  I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.  But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging outsiders?  Do you not judge those who are within the church?  But those who are outside, God judges.  REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.”  1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 8, 2023

“Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue” – “Then you will discern righteousness and justice And equity and every good course.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 16:18-22.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2016&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.  You shall not distort justice;  you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.  Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”  Deuteronomy 16:18-20. 

——————–

When today’s Scripture commands us to pursue only justice, it does not mean that we we should not pursue lovingkindness, mercy, righteousness, sanctification, and other Godly qualities.  Rather, when today’s Scripture commands us to pursue only justice, it means that that we should be careful to pursue all that is involved in justice.  We should not be satisfied only doing a few just things.  

“2 Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice
Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.” Proverbs 21:2-3.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law:  justice and mercy and faithfulness;  but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.”  Matthew 23:23. 

For one example, today’s Scripture commands us to “not be partial”.  We may give justice to the poor, but do we also give justice to the rich?

“‘You shall do no injustice in judgment;  you shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the great, but you are to judge your neighbor fairly.”  Leviticus 19:15.  

As another example, we may give a truthful report, because it helps ourself, a friend or someone we like, but do we also give as true and full a report where it hurts ourself or where it helps our enemy or someone that we or others do not like?

“You shall not bear a false report;  do not join your hand with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.  You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice;  nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute.”  Exodus 23:1-3.

“4 … He swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 He does not put out his money at interest,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.” Psalm 15:4-5.

“3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.
4 Rescue the weak and needy;
Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4.

“He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8.

But, there is hope!

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Lovingkindness and truth go before You.” Psalm 89:14.

“He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 33:5.

“18 “BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN;
MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL-PLEASED;
I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM,
AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.
19 “HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT;
NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
20 “A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF,
AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT,
UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.” Matthew 12:18-20.

“8 Good and upright is the LORD;
Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in justice,
And He teaches the humble His way.” Psalm 25:8-9.

“6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.” Proverbs 2:6-9.

“30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
His steps do not slip.” Psalm 37:30-31.

“The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous,
But is terror to the workers of iniquity.” Proverbs 21:15.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 6, 2023

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” – “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, … for every good deed”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 16:16-17.

“Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed.  Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.”  Deuteronomy 16:16-17.

—————

Oh no!  More Scripture that commands me to give!

But, today’s Scripture (“according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you”) and the following supporting Scripture changes our focus from our giving to our receiving, and from our work to God’s work in us, and from our gifts to God’s gifts to us.

First, let us start with God’s most important “indescribable gift”.  

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.  

We give as we should, because God gave us Christ “who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption”.

Second, we have received from God additional material gifts such that we “have an abundance for every good deed”. 

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;  as it is written,

“HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR,
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.”

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;  you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.  For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.  Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  2 Corinthians 9:8-15.

Third, God gives us the will to give and accomplishes the good work within us so that we do in fact give as we should.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 5, 2023

“so that you will be altogether joyful.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 16:9-15.

“You shall count seven weeks for yourself;  you shall begin to count seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain.  Then you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with a tribute of a freewill offering of your hand, which you shall give just as the LORD your God blesses you;  and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst, in the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name.  You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.

“You shall celebrate the Feast of Booths seven days after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and your wine vat;  and you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter and your male and female servants and the Levite and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns.  Seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.”  Deuteronomy 16:9-15.

———————–

What are some of the elements presented in today’s Scripture, “so that you will be altogether joyful”?

First, “you shall rejoice before the LORD your God”.  Sadly, we tend to prefer a party where everybody but God is invited.  We want to do things at the party that we know that God would not approve.  But, today’s Scripture from beginning to the end commands us to celebrate to God, with God, and because of God.    

Second, we shall rejoice with not only before God and with family, but also with “your male and female servants and the Levite who is in your town, and the stranger and the orphan and the widow who are in your midst”.  Everyone is to be invited.  

Third, “you shall rejoice in your feast”.  There better be good food, good wine and beer, and good entertainment.  After all, we are celebrating what our wine vat produced.  

Fourth, we bring to the feast “a tribute of a freewill offering of your hand, which you shall give just as the LORD your God blesses you”.  The feast has plenty for us, but God gets something too.

Fifth, we celebrate not only what God has done for us in the past, but also for what God will do for us in the future, “because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands”.  

“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:11.

“For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.” Psalm 92:4.

“but just as it is written,

“THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD,
AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN,
ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 4, 2023

“Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, … with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 16:1-8.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2016&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, for in the month of Abib the LORD your God brought you out of Egypt by night.  You shall sacrifice the Passover to the LORD your God from the flock and the herd, in the place where the LORD chooses to establish His name.  You shall not eat leavened bread with it;  seven days you shall eat with it unleavened bread, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), so that you may remember all the days of your life the day when you came out of the land of Egypt.  For seven days no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory, and none of the flesh which you sacrifice on the evening of the first day shall remain overnight until morning.”  Deuteronomy 16:1-4.   

————

Here is the story of the Passover.

“Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb.  You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts;  and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.

For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians;  and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.  And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever.  When you enter the land which the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite.  And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’ you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’”  And the people bowed low and worshiped.”  Exodus 12:21-27.

Christ is our Passover.   Like the Passover lamb was sacrificed, Christ was sacrificed.  Like the blood of the Passover lamb caused the LORD to pass over the houses and not allow the destroyer to come into the houses to smite them, Christ’s blood caused the LORD to pass over His elect for whom Christ’s blood was shed and forgive them of all of their sins and not allow them to be sent to hell.  

Leaven in the Passover rite represents sin.  The elimination of leaven in the Passover rite reminds us, through God’s grace and work in us, to live Godly lives.  The following concluding Scripture puts it together and exhorts us.  

“Your boasting is not good.  Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?  Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened.  For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.  Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”  1 Corinthians 5:6-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 3, 2023

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 15:19-23.

“You shall consecrate to the LORD your God all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock;  you shall not work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.  You and your household shall eat it every year before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD chooses.  But if it has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.  You shall eat it within your gates;  the unclean and the clean alike may eat it, as a gazelle or a deer.  Only you shall not eat its blood;  you are to pour it out on the ground like water.”  Deuteronomy 15:19-23. 

——————-

The perfect sacrifice for our sins, the only effective sacrifice, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, did not have any defect.

Consider the following from the Heidelberg Catechism.

Q. 15.  What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?

A.  For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous;  and yet more powerful than all creatures;  that is, one who is also very God.

Q. 16.  Why must He be very man, and also perfectly righteous?

A.  Because the justice of God requires that the same human nature which hath sinned should likewise make satisfaction for sin;  and one who is himself a sinner cannot satisfy for others.

Q. 17. Why must He in one person be also very God?

A.  That He might, by the power of His Godhead, sustain in His human nature the burden of God’s wrath;  and might obtain for, and restore to us, righteousness and life.

Q. 18.  Who then is that Mediator, who is in one person both very God and a real righteous man?

A.  Our Lord Jesus Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:48.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.  …

…

Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;  and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;  and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:14 and 18-25.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 2, 2023

“HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 15:12-18.

“If your kinsman, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, then he shall serve you six years, but in the seventh year you shall set him free.  When you set him free, you shall not send him away empty-handed.  You shall furnish him liberally from your flock and from your threshing floor and from your wine vat; you shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you.  You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you;  therefore I command you this today.   It shall come about if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he fares well with you;  then you shall take an awl and pierce it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your servant forever.  Also you shall do likewise to your maidservant.

“It shall not seem hard to you when you set him free, for he has given you six years with double the service of a hired man;  so the LORD your God will bless you in whatever you do.”  Deuteronomy 15:12-18.

—————–

The LORD commanded Israel that when they set free their slave, “you shall not send him away empty-handed.  You shall furnish him liberally from your flock and from your threshing floor and from your wine vat”.  

The LORD also commanded Israel:  “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you;  therefore I command you this today.”

Thus, we should also remember that when the LORD redeemed Israel, the LORD did not send Israel away empty-handed.  

“Now the sons of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, for they had requested from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing;  and the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request.  Thus they plundered the Egyptians.”  Exodus 12:35-36. 

Hmm.  I wonder.  The LORD redeemed us from the slavery of sin.  Did the LORD send us away empty-handed?

No!

“Therefore it says,

“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES,
AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”

…  And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:8 and 11-13.

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”  Ephesians 4:7.

“Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly:  if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;  if service, in his serving;  or he who teaches, in his teaching;  or he who exhorts, in his exhortation;  he who gives, with liberality;  he who leads, with diligence;  he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”  Romans 12:6-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 1, 2023

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love” – “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” – “for it is God who is at work in you”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 15:1-11.

“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts.  This is the manner of remission:  every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor;  he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because the LORD’S remission has been proclaimed.  From a foreigner you may exact it, but your hand shall release whatever of yours is with your brother.  However, there will be no poor among you, since the LORD will surely bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, if only you listen obediently to the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today.  For the LORD your God will bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow;  and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

“If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother;  but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.  Beware that there is no base thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,’ and your eye is hostile toward your poor brother, and you give him nothing;  then he may cry to the LORD against you, and it will be a sin in you.  You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.  For the poor will never cease to be in the land;  therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’”  Deuteronomy 15:1-11.

——————-

That sounds good to forgive and to give, but I am selfish, even greedy.  

There are even promises attached in verses 4, 6, and 10, but I do not trust God.   

But, there is hope!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”  Galatians 5:22-24.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 1:6. 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also;  and greater works than these he will do;  because I go to the Father.”  John 14:12.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”  John 14:26-27.

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  …”  John 16:13. 

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:48.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 29, 2023

“Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” – “God loves a cheerful giver.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 14:22-29.

“You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.  You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.  If the distance is so great for you that you are not able to bring the tithe, since the place where the LORD your God chooses to set His name is too far away from you when the LORD your God blesses you, then you shall exchange it for money, and bind the money in your hand and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses.  You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires:  for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires;  and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.  Also you shall not neglect the Levite who is in your town, for he has no portion or inheritance among you.

“At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town.  The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.”  Deuteronomy 14:22-29.

—————–

“3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:3-4.

“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones;
And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:11.

It is stunning, almost beyond belief, that God is so gracious that He provides that the tithe could be at least partially used for “wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires”. “You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires:  for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires;  and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.” Verse 26.  Note that it is stated twice:  “whatever your heart desires”.  

God does also provide in the last paragraph of today’s Scripture for the tithe at least every third year to be used for the Levite, “and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town”.  They “shall come and eat and be satisfied”.  There is even a blessing attached:  “in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.” 

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  Galatians 6:10.

“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;’  2 Corinthians 9:6-8.

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