Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 10, 2023

“He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; …”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 26:16-19.

“This day the LORD your God commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore be careful to do them with all your heart and with all your soul. You have today declared the LORD to be your God, and that you would walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. The LORD has today declared you to be His people, a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the LORD your God, as He has spoken.” Deuteronomy 26:16-19.

———————-

It is difficult to comment on this Scripture without considering and discussing the rest of the book of Deuteronomy and at least Romans chapters 9-11 among other additional Scriptures. In a nutshell, the nation of Israel would not obey God. See for example Moses’ conclusion in Deuteronomy 31:14-22. But, the remnant of Israel would be saved based on God’s choice a/k/a election.

Here is how I summarize my conclusion that will fit within the confines of the format of a short devotion.

We should fix our hope on God rather than on ourselves. Moreover, we should fix our hope on what God has done for us rather than on what we will do for God.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” 1 Peter 2:9-10.

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” John 6:28-29.

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

“Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:26-27.

“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.  

Christ “… gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”  Titus 2:14.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23. 

“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 | November 9, 2023

“Look upon my affliction and rescue me, For I do not forget Your law.”

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.

—————-

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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 8, 2023

“so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.” – “so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 26:1-11.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2026&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then it shall be, when you enter the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance, and you possess it and live in it, that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground which you bring in from your land that the LORD your God gives you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to establish His name.  …  and you and the Levite and the alien who is among you shall rejoice in all the good which the LORD your God has given you and your household.”  Deuteronomy 26:1-2 and 11.

——————

“But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”  Deuteronomy 8:18.

“It is the blessing of the LORD that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it.” Proverbs 10:22.

“2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:2-5.

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

Thus, it is not only logical that we should rejoice at all the good God has done for us, God specifically commands us to rejoice at all the good God has done for us.

But, there is a problem!

We were “dead” in sin.  Ephesians 2:1-5.  We were hostile to God.  Romans 8:7 and Colossians 1:21.  We were in bondage to sin.  Romans 7:14-15.

“10 as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” Romans 3:10-12.

But, there is hope!

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”  Romans 7:4. 

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt.

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God; but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man; he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens; from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable;  actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.

In summary and conclusion, the following three Scriptures put it together and change the focus from ourselves to God, and these verses change the focus from presuming that we will be grateful and obey God and rejoice to a focus on what God has done for us.  In a nutshell, instead of a focus on us bringing first fruits, God makes us His first fruits.

“Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?”  Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.”  John 6:28-29.

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.”  James 1:17-18.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 7, 2023

“a full and just weight”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 25:5-19.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2025&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a large and a small.  You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small.  You shall have a full and just weight;  you shall have a full and just measure, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.  For everyone who does these things, everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the LORD your God.”  Deuteronomy 25:5-19.

————–

Another pillar of justice is a just weight.

In our business practices, we are commanded to give our customers “a full and just weight” of product and services for which we charge.  It usually is not as simple as having an accurate scale.  This Scripture applies to much more than weighing bananas.  As business people, we know in our hearts how much product or services we are giving our customers for the money our customers pays us, and God, Who knows all persons and everything else, certainly does.   

“A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
But a just weight is His delight.” Proverbs 11:1.

“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.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 6, 2023

“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work … through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 25:4.

“You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.”   Deuteronomy 25:4.

—————–

Certainly, there is an express specific application of this verse.

“The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.  For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”  1 Timothy 5:17-18.

But, today’s Scripture should also lead us to meditate on an more general application of this verse to the rest of us.

“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD,
And He will repay him for his good deed.” Proverbs 19:17.

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.  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 6:9-10.

But, much more importantly than focusing on ourselves and meditating on how God may owe us if we work for him, we should focus on God and meditate on His excellent qualities of what He has done for us and, through God’s grace, believe God and wait patiently for His lovingkindness to us. 

“Who has given to Me that I should repay him?
Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.” Job 41:11.

“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.  And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, “I WILL SURELY BLESS YOU AND I WILL SURELY MULTIPLY YOU.”  And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.”  Hebrews 6:10-15. 

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 5, 2023

“O God of hosts, restore us And cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 25:1-3.

“If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, then it shall be if the wicked man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall then make him lie down and be beaten in his presence with the number of stripes according to his guilt.  He may beat him forty times but no more, so that he does not beat him with many more stripes than these and your brother is not degraded in your eyes.”  Deuteronomy 25:1-3.  

—————

“Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
And blows for the back of fools.” Proverbs 19:29.

“On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
But a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.” Proverbs 10:13.

Another pillar of justice is provisions for restoration of the punished person.  If the punished person is “degraded”, then it implies that there is permanent injury for which there can be no restoration.  

“FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE SCOURGERS EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”

It is for discipline that you endure;  God deals with you as with sons;  for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  …  For they (our earthly fathers) disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.  All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful;  yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.”  Hebrews 12:6-7 and 10-13.

Obviously, there are quite a number of laws where there is the death penalty.  We are not talking about those severe guilt cases.  We are talking about medium guilt cases where there can be release and restoration.  

We also note the pillar of justice of proportionate punishment indicated by the words “with the number of stripes according to his guilt.”  Verse 2.

“3 O God, restore us
And cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.

4 O LORD God of hosts,
How long will You be angry with the prayer of Your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears,
And You have made them to drink tears in large measure.
6 You make us an object of contention to our neighbors,
And our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 O God of hosts, restore us
And cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.” Psalm 80:3-7.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 3, 2023

“zealous for good deeds”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 24:6-22.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2024&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“6 “No one shall take a handmill or an upper millstone in pledge, for he would be taking a life in pledge.

12 If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge.  13 When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you;  and it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God.

14 “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your countrymen or one of your aliens who is in your land in your towns.  15 You shall give him his wages on his day before the sun sets, for he is poor and sets his heart on it;  so that he will not cry against you to the LORD and it become sin in you.

17 “You shall not pervert the justice due an alien or an orphan, nor take a widow’s garment in pledge.  

19 “When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it;  it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 24:6 and 12-15 and 17 and 19.

————-

Verse 15 (“You shall give him his wages on his day before the sun sets, for he is poor and sets his heart on it; …) reminds me of the kindness shown to me a long time ago when I was a young, poor attorney just getting started in my work and trying to support my family.  Whenever I rendered service for Jim, President of a busy real estate company, even though he could mail a check to me, Jim immediately told his secretary to make out a check, and he waited for the check, so that he could hand the check to me.

Some of these various laws may seem unusual.  For example, in verse 6, a handmill or an upper millstone is used to make food.  Thus, it does make sense if a creditor took it away then the creditor would take away the means of life. 

Generally, these various laws help us to understand what is righteous behavior in the eyes of the LORD.  We should show concern for the poor, do justice and lovingkindness, and live pure and holy lives.

“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.

“do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4.

“Who among you is wise and understanding?  Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.  …  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”  James 3:13 and 17-18.

“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.

But, there is hope!

“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.  

Christ “… gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.”  Titus 2:14.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23. 

“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 | November 2, 2023

“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 24:1-5.

“When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house, and she leaves his house and goes and becomes another man’s wife, and if the latter husband turns against her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her to be his wife, then her former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again to be his wife, since she has been defiled;  for that is an abomination before the LORD, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance.

“When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out with the army nor be charged with any duty;  he shall be free at home one year and shall give happiness to his wife whom he has taken.”  Deuteronomy 24:1-5.

—————–

Divorce (including more generally marriage) is a difficult subject to cover, particularly in the limited confines of a short devotion.  These verses are only a small sampling of verses in Scripture to consider.  There are other verses that should also be considered, and there are Christian ministers and Christian professional counselors who can provide spiritual counseling.

“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the LORD of hosts.  “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”  Malachi 2:16.

“But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit.  And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring?  Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth.”  Malachi 2:15.  

“It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’;  but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery;  and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”  Matthew 5:31-32.

“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”  Matthew 19:6.

“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.

The disciples *said to Him, “If the relationship of the man with his wife is like this, it is better not to marry.”  But He said to them, “Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given.”  Matthew 19:9-10.

“But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.  But if they do not have self-control, let them marry;  for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.”  1 Corinthians 7:7-11.

“18 Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
19 As a loving hind and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
Be exhilarated always with her love.
20 For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress
And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?” Proverbs 5:18-20.

“Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.  But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:22-27.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | November 1, 2023

“He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.” – “He will teach you all things”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 23:17-25.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2023&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“You shall not charge interest to your countrymen:  interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest.  You may charge interest to a foreigner, but to your countrymen you shall not charge interest, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land which you are about to enter to possess.

“When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the LORD your God will surely require it of you.  However, if you refrain from vowing, it would not be sin in you.  You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God, what you have promised.”  Deuteronomy 23:19-23.

———————–

“If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him;  you shall not charge him interest.”  Exodus 22:25.

“O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
…
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 15:1 and 5.

“He who increases his wealth by interest and usury
Gathers it for him who is gracious to the poor.” Proverbs 28:8.

“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT YOU SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’  But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.  Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.  But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’;  anything beyond these is of evil.”  Matthew 5:33-37.

But, there is hope!

“The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
…
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1 and 3.

“It is the Spirit who gives life;  the flesh profits nothing;  the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”  John 6:63. 

“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. 

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;  for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;  and He will disclose to you what is to come.”  John 16:13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | October 31, 2023

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men”

Today’s devotion comes from Deuteronomy 23:15-16.

“You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you.  He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him;  you shall not mistreat him.”  Deuteronomy 23:15-16.  

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“Were you called while a slave?  Do not worry about it;  but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.  For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman;  likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave.  You were bought with a price;  do not become slaves of men.  Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.”  1 Corinthians 7:20-24.

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.  It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.  For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.”  Colossians 3:23-25.

“Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;  not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.  With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”  Ephesians 6:5-9.

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