March 14th

Lots of nourishment in this morning's breakfast. There is a phrase, actually a word, that continues to appear in the 1st part of Deuteronomy. It's the word: possess. God instructs the people to go in and possess the land. God will fight for them - they just have to trust him. Do I take hold of the promises of God? Do I eagerly seek after His love, grace and mercy? I need to learn to go in and possess that which God has promised and not allow myselfe to be possessed by what is not of Him. The Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy are actually not exactly the same as the ones recorded in Exodus. The part that stood for me is when God is giving instruction about the Sabbath. In Exodus God instructs them to observe the Sabbath because God created the universe and then he rested. In Deuteronomy God instructs them to observe the Sabbath because they were slaves in Egypt and God brought them out. True Sabbath is freedom from taskmasters. Free to live as God intended. Jesus healed people and set them free on the Sabbath. In chapters 3-5 there is also a phrase about God speaking out of the fire. I was thinking about the whole business of refinement by fire. Through testing, pain, difficulties, and even temptations we are refined by fire and it becomes easier to hear God's voice.

Lord, you have so many blessings to pour out upon us. You are so good. Thank you for your promises. May we no look away from them. Lord, help us to remember and observe that you are the one who sets us free and who have set us free. Let us rest in that truth. Lord, refine us by fire, that we may hear and know your voice. Thank you for speaking to us even out of the darkness. May we listen attentively and seek you with all our hearts. To you be the glory!