DAILY READING
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REFLECTION
TITLE
by Judy Webb
This text just shouts of the goodness of our God. Verse 39 says: "Acknowledge and take heart this day that the Lord is God in Heaven above and on the Earth below. There is no other."
This sentiment is echoed in many other places in the Bible:
Joshua 2:11 "For the Lord you God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."
1 Kings 823 "Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on the earth below"
2 Chronicles 2:6 "Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven?"
1 Samuel 2:2 "There is no only holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you and there is no rock like our God."
Isaiah 45:5 "I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God..."
What does this mean for us today? How does a Christian take these words and apply them to life in this ever-changing world? These verses and many others like them are pointing the people away from the false gods of their time. Idol worship was prominent in Moses’ day, in David’s day, in Isaiah’s time too. Today, our idols may have changed from carved images and other handmade inanimate objects, but they are used in the same way.
The things that take our focus off “God in heaven and on the earth” are still worldly objects. Careers, portfolios, family, material things, status, etc. too often take the place of a god in our lives. We turn to these things for our peace, for our happiness and fulfillment. But many of us will realize that there must be more to life. There must be a better reason for living and going forward each day.
Moses received the 10 commandments from God, which lay out rules to live by. His words reiterate: obedience is commanded, and idolatry is forbidden. Nothing has changed.
“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.” (Deuteronomy 4:39-40 NIV)
PRAYER PRACTICE
Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Give thanks to God for all that He gives and share your prayer needs with God this morning. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.
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