Day 20 – When Things Are Going Well
Deuteronomy 6:13 “You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name.”
Story (by Hannah Ross): This is part of a very long speech that Moses gives to Israel before he dies and Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land. So his speech is his last impression, the last teaching Moses will ever give to his people. Deuteronomy 6:13 is what to do when things are going well. The Israelites are about to enter a land flowing with milk and honey – a prosperous place. To the Israelites, it will seem like they don’t need God for their every day lives. So when things are going well, fear the LORD. Stay in the relationship with God and walk with Him.
My Prayer Response: Father, thank You for Your goodness to us – in big and little ways. To fear You means I give thanks to you for all that is good. I am always dependent on You – even when the house is full of food, the kids are healthy, the cars are working, and there’s money in the bank.
May the LORD prosper you today!
July 19
Day 21 – Passing Down the Fear of the LORD
Deuteronomy 6:24 “So the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today.”
Story: In looking ahead to Israel’s future, Moses is concerned about forgetfulness. So, he creates a possible father-son conversation along the lines of ‘Why do we have to these things for God?’ That question gives the father the opportunity to tell of what God has done for Israel in Egypt (v. 21-22) and then the Promised Land (v. 23). So then comes the purpose of God’s work in verse 24, noticing how the fear of the LORD isn’t just a command, but a benefit. It’s both for good and survival!
My Prayer Response: Father, I love that the fear of the LORD is supposed to pass down from father to child. Help me to teach my kids to fear You so that I might also teach my grandkids to fear you. It’s not just information to convey; it’s for Your blessing on our family! I love how you have things ordered – even in the midst of all our sin. As we fear You, You will take care of us!
May the fear of the LORD bring you good today!
Day 22 – Memories, VBS, and No Fear
Deuteronomy 7:17-19 “If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’ You shall not be afraid of them; you shall well remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: the great trials which your eyes saw and the signs and the wonders and the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out. So shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.”
Story: I love how God understands our fears. By every objective standard, Israel had no business going into battle against these nations, let alone conquering them. But victory isn’t about what can be seen and measured. Israel belongs to the unseen God who delivers! His four=fold actions of signs, wonders, mighty hand and outstretched arm wins the battle and erases our fears.
I’ve been connecting this verse with our week at VBS. We can’t compare to the resources that media sources and political agendas use to influence kids. But then, it’s not about what is seen and measured. We go forward with the Gospel to these kids based on remembering who our God is, trusting Him to work with signs, wonders, a mighty hand, and outstretched arm.
My Prayer Response: Father, over and over You teach us to walk by faith, not by sight. We see an enemy that has greater resources than ourselves. But we must look to You, our Almighty and unseen God. You have never needed human greatness to accomplish Your will. So use us during this VBS. Let us well remember what You have done in the lives of Your people, even of us today whom You have rescued through Your gracious power!
May you well remember what the LORD has done!
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Day 23 – A Memory Test
Deuteronomy 8:6 “Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.”
Story: Once again, Moses reminds Israel of what God has done for them in the past – as if Moses knows how forgetful people are! But not only did God provide for them in the wilderness, He also led them into the wilderness. He caused them to face difficulties and challenges out of His goodness, so that Israel would reveal what is in their hearts. So, when Israel faces difficulties again in the future, they aren’t to panic. Instead, they are to remember what God has already done for them, and then continue to obey Him and fear Him.
My Prayer Response: Father, Your commands are to be obeyed, even in challenging situations. You set up these difficulties to know what is in our hearts. How wise and good You are. And how deep You want Your relationship to be with us. You’re wanting to walk with us through the storms and valleys, to be like the friend that sticks closer than a brother. Remind me to not pray away my difficulties and problems – but instead to pray for help from and closeness with You!
May the LORD draw you close in today’s challenges!
Day 24 – Fearful Followers and Listeners
Deuteronomy 13:4 “You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.”
Story: The easiest way to identify a false prophet is … well, when he/she says something false. But what if the false prophet says something right? Or that comes true? Moses warns Israel of this temptation, which has already happened in Israel’s past with Balaam. God allows this false prophet to be true for the moment (v. 2), but that is only to test the people of Israel about their love for God (v. 3). For Israel to fear the LORD God is to follow His Word continually.
My Prayer Response: Father, we hear a lot of messages – and not all of them are obviously false. Please, let us not take Your Word for granted. Renew our hunger for You, for Your Word day after day. When tempted and tested, help us to go back to Your Truth and obey. Where else can we go? Only You give us words of eternal life.
May you listen to the LORD’s voice today!