UNDERSTANDING GOD’S REASONS
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 9-10
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).
The Jordan River normally is a slow meandering stream, but when the Israelites went across, it was at the time of year when the “Jordan overflowed its banks” (Joshua 3:15b).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 9:5
It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
There were three reasons as to why God took the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. First, because of the wickedness of the nations already there. Second, because of His promise to His friend, Abraham. Third, because Moses fasted and prayed for forty days and nights for God’s purposes to be fulfilled in their lives. Fasting, along with our prayers, does not win brownie points with God, but it does indicate the fervency of our prayers. “The fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). God, through Moses, as well as through Paul, made it very clear that, “It’s not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5a). This makes an important distinction between salvation by works and a faith that works.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, grant a greater level of fervency to me as I pray. May I underline and put exclamation points behind my prayers more often by fasting along with my prayers. Thank You for saving me through the greatest work of all time, Your death and resurrection. Now, I’m asking You for a greater measure of faith that works in every area of my life and for the good of others. Amen!!!!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The Bible reading suggested here in “100 Words” is my morning reading. However, my New Years’ resolution is to raise my time meditating on the Person of Jesus during 2017. Raised in a believing, synagogue-attending family, Jesus would have read the portions from His Bible which had been selected by a council of Jewish Rabbis. Our 2-year journey through the Bible, as presented in my blog, goes from the Old Testament to the New and back again, covering every verse, every chapter, every book. I’m asking every reader to join me in this new-year commitment to learn to be more like Jesus.
Yours for knowing God’s Word more thoroughly,
David
With you, David, for increased time meditating on the person of Jesus, in 2017. Wishing love to those whose loved ones are hospitalized, or are grieving lost loved ones, over the Christmas season. For many of us, it can be such a hard time of year to get through, not having family to spend Christmas with. But knowing that our loved ones are home in heaven is reassuring, and that we will be reunited, again, a sweet reward. Oh, to see the loving face of our Saviour! Oh, let us hold onto that joy! Wishing all saints a blessed day, in the Lord!
Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!
Psalm 31:16 ESV
O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL – JOSH GROBAN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWIeFbuapAY
Amen Beverlee!
Dear Beverlee, Thank You for the lovely comment.
I just lost my husband Dec. 16th and I know for sure he is with our Lord Jesus.
David, thank you, thank you for your caring, faithful love for Jesus and us.
I have grown so much in the Lord through your teaching.
Jesus be my strength, especially for tomorrow and Thursday. I know you will pray for me.
So sorry for your recent loss Karen. Praying for strength and peace for you today and Thursday. God be with you and your family in a special way during this difficult time.
Yes, Amen!
Holding you up, Karen. I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing, so very recently. May the loving wings of angels surround you each night and whisper gently in your ears.
Amen, I am with you too David in learning more about Jesus through reading the Scriptures. May the Lord be with you Karen and Beverlee and all of us who have lost loved ones in 2016. Thank you, thank you David and all believers.
I’m also with you in the daily Bible readings. This blog ministry ,100Words.ca, is a blessing to me. Thank-you.
Great photo of the Jordan, thanks Reynold, and thanks for posting it Pastor David!
Not by might nor by power but by the Holy Spirit.
The emphasis the Lord makes that it is because of what they did but because of what He Does. Not by anything we have done or do, but to look to Him, in all our ways to acknowledge Him.
Prayed with you Pastor David!!
God Bless you and all bloggers this day
Please pray that we will get through the holidays all right, I have a family member with bipolar (he refuses treatment) and it is constant fighting and drama right now…thank you so much for your prayers, they really helped during the last holiday!
Lord Jesus I pray for your intervention in the midst of this family, that your Peace would fill their hearts and minds at this special time of year. And that the celebration would be a Joyous one. Amen!
In agreement with Irene, I pray, dear Lord, for Your peace and grace that surpasses all understanding. Bring the feeling of calmness and acceptance into this young man’s heart, Lord, as he is present with May and her family members over the Christmas holidays. Surround them all with Your loving protection and strength. In Jesus’ precious Name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen. God bless you and keep you, sister May.