Day 25 – Learning To Fear By Giving
Deuteronomy 14:23 “You shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.”
Story: I’m fascinated that one of the ways set up for Israel to learn to fear the LORD is through giving. The whole section of verses 22-29 is about tithing, or giving a tenth to the LORD. The financial offering would confront them in a very real and practical way on if God was truly their priority. To give to the LORD requires one to answer ‘why am I doing this?’ and ‘is this really worthwhile?’
My Prayer Response: Father, how wise and good You are. Thank You for challenges that push me to consider why I do what I do. Your goal with our giving to You today isn’t that it’s the easiest; or that it increases wealth; but You set this up so that I would learn to fear You. Cause us to work on our finances so that we persist in honoring You.
May you learn to fear the LORD today!
Day 26 – Fearful Handwriting
Deuteronomy 17:19 “It shall be with him [the future king] and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes …”
Story: This so fascinates me! v. 14 introduces this section talking about the future king of Israel. His first act in coming to the throne was v. 18: to copy in his own hand the Law. Not delegate this, but do it himself. Then he is to keep this copy with him and to read it often (v. 19), so that he may learn to fear the LORD. Part of the reason for this (there are 3 in v. 20) is to keep him from being lifted up above his countrymen; or in other words, to keep the king humble. It makes me wonder how many kings of Israel actually did this.
My Prayer Response: Father, how I need Your Word! How I need to invest myself in Your Word. To read and re-read it. To know it well. So that my relationship with You is right and my relationship with others is also right. Thank You that I have so many copies of Your Word around me, and that I rightly value Your Word each time I read from it.
May you read God’s Word today!
Day 27 – God Fights For You
Deuteronomy 20:1-4 “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you. When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people. He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’”
Story (by Hannah Ross): Imagine a massive army, essentially an unbeatable force. They have the latest technology in weapons, experienced warriors, and excellent strategy. Facing this is a much smaller army, weaker in each area. But soldiers in the smaller army are not to be afraid, because God is on their side. With God, the smaller army, Israel, can defeat any multitude, technology, experience, and strategy. Israel does not need to be afraid because they rely not on earthly things but on God. Victory in battle isn’t from the greatest determination, most men, best technology, or even the better strategy. Instead, victory in battle is from the LORD God. Determination fades, men die, strategy deserts, and technology disappoints, but God will never, ever fail you!
My Prayer Response: Father, You know our fears and speak to our hearts. For Israel, You reminded them that You brought Your people of out of Egypt, against the dominant political and military rule at the time. You won ever battle, every single one! So, You fights for Your people to give them victory. How much I forget this. How much fearing You is tied into actively remembering what You have done. Forgive me both for my forgetfulness and for not giving the mental effort to focus on You. Thank you!
May the LORD go with you today to fight for you!
Day 28 – The LORD is with you
Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 (said to Israel) “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” ... (said to Joshua) “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
The Story: Deuteronomy 31 is Moses’ final words. Looking ahead to the immediate future, he gives the same words of counsel to the nation and to the next leader. The words of assurance are piled on – the LORD is with you; He goes ahead of you; He will not fail you; He will not forsake you. No matter what may happen, God’s presence is what drives out fear.
My Prayer Response: Father, what a comfort that this truth still remains today! A lot may be broken, lost, or removed. So much can easily and rapidly change. But You remain. You are present with each one of Your children. Thank You for Your presence – always being present with us.
May the LORD be with you today!
Day 29 – Hear and Fear
Deuteronomy 31:12-13 “Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the alien who is in your town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law. Their children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as you live on the land which you are about to cross the Jordan to possess.”
Story: Earlier this week, we looked at 2 lessons to learn the fear of the LORD: giving (Deut 14:23), and writing and reading God’s Word (Deut 17:19). Now is a third and final one: gathering together to hear both God’s Word and history of God’s acts (Deut 31:11). Moses is concerned to set up an ongoing plan for Israel to review God’s Word and works so that Israel would hear and learn to fear the LORD. The children especially are in need of this, because if they have not known, they will not learn to fear the LORD and live long in the Promised Land.
My Prayer Response: Father, You know how forgetful we are. We need these constant reminders of basic truths and events. But You never get annoyed, impatient, or frustrated at repeating Your truth to us. Give us ears to hear. Remind us to speak these things repeatedly to our children, to others, even to ourselves. Remind us that in Your Word is life we need!
May the LORD help you to hear and learn today!