HE WAS CURSED, WE ARE BLESSED
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 21-22
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
Two men, along with many others, present their prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. This is the retaining wall for the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus would have worshipped in the Temple courtyard just above and to the east. This is the closest Jews today can come to the actual Temple site. This is the reason the Wailing Wall is another name for this Herodian structure. Orthodox Jews consider themselves to be in mourning ever since the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 22:4
You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again.
When accused by religious Jews of breaking the laws of the Sabbath by healing a man, Jesus referenced our key verse and exposed their double standard by reminding them that they would indeed pull their animal out of the ditch on the Sabbath (Luke 14:1-6). If we want to discover what Jesus thought of the efforts to keep all the Mosaic laws, read the entire 23rd chapter of Matthew (click here). We might also consider Deuteronomy 21:22b & 23b where our reading points us forward to the One who hung on a tree. It may be valuable for us to read Galatians 3:10-14. Jesus was executed in the worst possible way. Not only did He endure the tortures of the Cross, He also carried the stigma of being “accursed.” The people observing knew well that anyone hanged on a tree is accursed of God. Jesus took on Himself the curse imposed on the human race because of the sin of our first parents. By faith, and because of Jesus, we are not cursed; we are truly blessed.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, as I’ve just read from Matthew 23 and Galatians 3, I realize more than ever how blessed I am. Please help me to never take Your blessings for granted, presuming on Your grace by doing those things which I know have resulted from the “curse.” You forgive my sins and You also give me the grace to stop sinning. Thank You, Jesus! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
On Christmas Day I was short of 100 words in this section of my blog. A young mother and new Christian told me off about this. She counts on the full treatment for her daily devotions. My excuse for having only about 25 words here was that I had gone way over 100 words in my Scripture commentary. Readers, my brothers and sisters in Christ, thanks for your patience with me.
An old friend and mentor, the late Rev. J. H. Blair, walked the final steps with the last man hanged for murder in the Barton Street Jail in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1953, Harry Lee was hanged for the crime of first-degree murder. Brother Blair told me that this man repented before God for all of his sins while maintaining that he was innocent of murder right to the end. This is one of the reasons capital punishment was ended. I believe I will see Harry Lee in Heaven. The Scripture says that “Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” The same motivation to get right with God, execution, has not been there over the last 60 years. I am on a one-way street to eternity. There are no U-turns. About 1,000 people call the Crossroads/100 Huntley Street prayer lines every day. Many calls are about getting right with God. Kind, loving, non-judgmental people are waiting for those calls. The number is 1-866-273-4444.
Yours for knowing the salvation for which Jesus hung on a tree,
David
The content of Deut 21-22 is disturbing. Reading about rules regarding women being stoned in old testament scripture is upsetting. Recently, I watched the movie The Stoning of Soraya M. written by French-Iranian journalist and war correspondent Freidoune Sahebjam. Women in middle eastern parts of the world–Iran, Pakistan and Somalia–continue to be cruelly tortured and executed by stoning to this day for punishment of alleged adultery.
Thank you David, for reminding us that Jesus put things straight in scripture and by example, and that our faith in Him sets us free. I pray for a miracle for all the women in Iran and elsewhere in the middle east who are forced to live under such rules of persecution disrespect abuse and fear. Lord God, please help those women and children. Come into their lives and let them know You love them and that Your love will set them free. Amen.
Amen Beverlee, amen.
Yes, Amen!
With all the tv I watch, all I could think of to say about Deuteronomy 21-22 was “whaaaaaaaaat”?!!!!!. Praise the Lord for getting us out of that!
U do such a wonderful job of explaining our bible Rev. Thank you so much for your dedication and perseverance to bringing souls to our heavenly Father.
Blessings fellow believers.
Today my husband is being transferred to a palliative hospice. He is very much needing more help than can be arranged at home. He can’t even take water without choking. It is so painful to see my other half deteriorate so rapidly. I know it is never to late for God to turn it around. He does raise the dead (in the past and even today). I pray that he will get the care he needs when he needs it. We had a family gathering yesterday and our 4 yr old great-granddaughter asked GGrandpa, “are you sick”! Cute little thing Keziah is with her new baby brother, Logan.
Praying for angels to watch over and care for your husband, Ross—for his peace and comfort. And for your strength, Doreen, dear sister-in-Christ!
Amen.
Doreen May Our Heavenly Father surround you and Ross will all your needs and ease any pain Ross is feeling. May He strengthen and comfort you at this time.
Thank you so much, David for your faithful work. May you know that you are making an eternal difference in our lives. Never be discouraged. Your light shines before men so that we may see the Glory of the One True God through you!
Could you my brothers and sisters n Christ pray for our nephew’s family in Germany as a tragic accident has taken the life of their 18 yr. old son on Boxing Day!
Blessings to all.
Lord God, we hold dear Catherine and her nephew’s family in Germany up to You for comfort and strength after losing their 18 year old son so suddenly. Please be with them Lord during this difficult time and help lift the weight off their shoulders and pain from their hearts. We place them in Your loving arms. In Jesus name, amen, amen and amen.
Thank you dear sister-in-Christ Beverlee. Blessings to you. Catherine
Yes, I come into agreement with these prayers for the women in Iran, Pakistan and Somalia, for Doreen’s husband Ross and for Catherine’s nephew in Germany for the loss of their son that God would comfort them, surround them with His love and give them peace. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Thank you Ger. Amen.
Thank you Ger May God bless you during this holy holiday season and be very close. Love in Christ.
Catherine
Thank you folks for your prayers for Ross. I do join with you for Catherine’s nephew’s family for the death of a son of 18. May God comfort and draw folk closer to Himself in a mighty way.
Thank you Doreen, keeping you and yours in constant prayer. Catherine