Sunday, August 24, 2014

A HOLY PEOPLE

Today’s Reading: Exodus 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).

I took this photo as the sun was setting. We are looking east from Israel across the Jordan Rift Valley at the mountains of Moab in Jordan. If we could time travel to approximately 3,500 years ago, we would find the Israelites on the other side of these mountains either camping or on the move.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, click HERE.

Key Verse: Exodus 22:31a

You are to be My holy people. (New International Version)

 

Here, in chapter 22, are practical rules for the purpose of maintaining a well-run, harmonious society. For example, in verse three is the phrase “he shall be sold.” This was not slavery as in 150 years ago, but a method of repayment by labour in lieu of wages, perhaps for five years, where the families would be cared for. In studying judicial history, it is interesting to note the wide acceptance of God’s civil laws. Many, if not most, of our laws are based on these laws. The ultimate purpose of these laws was that the people would be a “holy people.” Please take the time to look up and meditate on 1 Peter 2:9-10. This is a definition of “Holy.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, You are Holy. I sing the old hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy” unto You. Please work in me Your sanctifying power so that I will be able to live a holy life. I pray this through Jesus Christ Who always, at all times and places, lived a life of holiness. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As a child living in Ottawa, Canada, I was impressed every Sunday by the scroll painted on the wall just behind the minister as he preached God’s Word. It said, “Holiness unto the Lord.” I learned the word “restitution” (Exodus 22:5) early in life. I may have been 6 or 7 years old. I came home from a nearby sand pit with a spoon. Mother said, “David, that spoon does not belong to you. You must go around to the neighbors and find the owner, returning it with an apology to the owner.” With a sense of shame I did that. Mother would not tolerate anything even close to stealing. It happened again when I was 9. Tempted by other boys, I stole an apple from in front of Kincaid’s grocery store. I ate it, but I could never fool Mother. She finally got a confession out of me, and I was required to take 5 cents of my own money and give it to Mr. Kincaid with an apology. So that’s the story of my life of crime. I most certainly got the message of living a holy life!!!

Yours for holy living,

David

 

10 thoughts on “Sunday, August 24, 2014

  1. Praise God from whom all Blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
    Have a wonderful Lord’s Day one and all.

  2. Awesome pic of the mountains of Moab in Jordan.
    The rules in our study today seem hilarious when viewed, but instituted 3500 years ago or so.
    God knows that children will be children;so did your mom Rev. DM and she had the good sense to guide you. Thus the saying “tough love”.
    Blessings.

  3. May God bless each and every one of you, God’s own special people. Your parents did a good job with you, David. May that Godly instruction keep on bearing fruit, even through us!

  4. Just as your mother didn’t tolerate stealing, my mother didn’t tolerate it either. When she found out what we had done, we were made to face the person we had wronged, admit what we that we had taken something of theirs, apologize for it, and return the item we had taken. The shame of having to face that person was far more painful than the spanking our parents would give us for our wrongdoing. There are very few incidents of my siblings or I stealing as youngsters, because of our parents unwillingness to let us get away with doing the wrong thing.

  5. Let God Arise, His enemies be scattered…in all we do and say, Jesus I pray in your Holy Name, Amen…HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!!

    How beautiful God’s creation…and well you capture it in your photo’s Reynold…thank you!!

  6. Hello David, it would be nice in today’s world if more parents did what your mum did make you return the article and apologize or pay for it out of their pocket money, my late husband and I did, and we would not let them have a gift if it was sent by mail unless they wrote a thank you letter first.
    Blessings, Carole

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