Bible reading for weekend June 6-7.
Deuteronomy 10-11.
"Yet the LORD set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt." (Deuteronomy 10:15-19)
REVIEW (10). In chapter 10 Moses continues his review of Israel's journey and God's expectations for them. The covenant sign of circumcision was to prompt them to circumcise (dedicate) their hearts to the Lord (Rom 2:29) They are to remember their national deliverance, and never forget that they were once aliens, enslaved in Egypt. And God, creator of all, chose this family for his special purposes (v 14). From a handful of people they have grown into a mighty nation (v 22). As Christians we too must take stock of our own history -- who we were, where we came from, how God called us, and how God has led us. We must always remember our history and our identity. As the Lord has shown mercy to us, so we should also have compassion on others, especially those in need (Luke 6:36; Col 3:12).
THE GREAT WORK (11). "Your eyes have seen all the great work of the Lord that he did" (v 7). God's people are to recall his great works of redemption. For the Israelite this centered on the deliverance from Egypt and passing through the Red Sea. For the Christian believer it centers upon Christ's delivering us from sin and death (by the cross) and bringing us into eternal life through his resurrection. The land they are going into is a good land and God himself cares for it (vv 9-15; cf Gen 2:8-15). Once again, the people are told to think much upon God's words and to teach his truth to their children (vv 18-20; Deut 6:6-9; Col 3:16). For us, too, God's word needs to be central in our minds, hearts, and families. Thomas Watson wrote, "The Bible is a rock of diamonds, a chain of pearls, the sword of the Spirit; a chart by which the Christian sails to eternity; the map by which he daily walks; the sundial by which he sets his life; the balance in which he weighs his actions." Scripture is wholly sufficient to guide us into God's good ways.
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Psalm 94-96.
"When I thought, 'My foot slips,' your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." (Psalm 94:18-19)
NOT FORSAKEN (94). God will -- with certainty -- judge the wicked and so preserve his people to the end. All of God's people have felt at one time or another that they are "going under", or are not going to be able to hold up much longer. I know I have! But we must remember: "Child of God, you cost Christ too much for him to forget you" (Spurgeon). No one can snatch you from Christ's hand, being also enclosed by the Father's hand (John 10:28-29). There are those who think there is no God, or that he does not see or care (v 7). These thoughts of the wicked are futile and vain (v 11), and with emphasis the psalmist repeats that they will be "wiped out" or "exterminated" (v 23).
PRAISE AND EXHORTATION (95). This is a psalm with an exhortation. We are called to worship and praise God, who owns the heights, depths, and breadth of all creation (vv 1-7). But then as God's flock we are exhorted to not harden our hearts (vv 8-11). To "test the Lord" means to demand that he prove himself to us in some remarkable way. Such an attitude is rooted in unbelief, along with suspicion, pride, and selfishness. The unbelieving shall not enter into God's rest (that is, the enjoyment of God's presence in his land)(see Heb 4:1-11).
HE REIGNS! (96) This the first of four psalms in celebration of the Lord as King. We are to sing and extol the Lord for who he is and for his great salvation (vv 1-2). Evangelism is a form of worship, and should be done in that spirit (v 3, 10). To "ascribe" something to God (vv 7-8) literally means to "give" him something. But we do not actually give glory and strength to the Lord, for these are his from eternity. So, it means that we give recognition to his glory and strength (cf Rev 4:11). We, as his redeemed, are created to see, enjoy, and give voice to God's worth. Note the terms: "be glad... rejoice... exult... sing for joy" (vv 11-12). "In commanding us to glorify him, God is inviting us to enjoy him" (C. S. Lewis). Now, we may find it more easy to glorify God for his love and grace, but can we also glorify and thank him for his righteous judgment? (v 13)
Image credit: photo by Jordan Whitt 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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