bible reading june 23

Bible reading for June 23.

Deuteronomy 28:20-68.

"Whereas you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, you shall be left few in number, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God." (Deuteronomy 28:62)

THE CURSES. This list of curses, God's judgment upon unfaithfulness, is shocking to read. What it should highlight to us is that humankind can be reduced to almost nothing. Just as the chaotic earth was turned into order and fruitfulness (Genesis 1), so judgment is a return to disorder and barrenness. It's like having a porcelain teacup that has been broken into several pieces -- you can hold it together with a gentle grasp and support of your hand. It's beautiful. But should you release your grip, even a little bit, the pieces fall apart again. The beauty and marvel of creation comes from God's hand. He holds it together. And all the blessedness of marriage, children, work, health, strength, and a community at peace can be lost at the release of God's hand. We did not earn the blessings, nor can we guarantee their continuance. God's verdict is righteous, his judgment is real, and the resulting condition is caused by the removal of his blessing. Takeaway: This should cause sober pause for all of us, for a great, final judgment is coming (Matt 25:46; 2 Thess 1:9; Jude 1:7; Rev 22:14-15). Every good thing we have is from the Lord's hand. The Lord desires that his people embrace him in thankfulness for all his blessings. If we will not have him, then neither will we have the blessings. As C. S. Lewis wrote, “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'" (The Great Divorce)

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Psalms 119:25-48.

"Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it." (Psalm 119:34-35)

THE BEAUTY OF HIS WORD. God's verbal revelation to his people is poetically described in this psalm, and varying terms are used, mainly as synonyms. They are God's "words, ways, statutes, precepts, law, rules, testimonies, and commandments." God has revealed his mind and heart and will in divine Scripture. Takeaway: as you read this psalm ask yourself, "How is his word described? what does his word do for me? What should be my attitude and response to his word?"

Image credit: photo of a storm over Singapore, taken by Lee Junda on Unsplash.
We are following the Robert Murray M'Cheyne (RMM) two-year reading schedule, as arranged by D. A. Carson.
Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The NET Bible is a free, online resource, and a ministry of bible.org.

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