Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
January 24, 2023
Read Deuteronomy 17:14-20
14 Once you have entered the land the LORD your God is giving you and you have taken possession of it and settled down in it, you might say: “Let’s appoint a king over us, as all our neighboring nations have done.” 15 You can indeed appoint over you a king that the LORD your God selects. You can appoint over you a king who is one of your fellow Israelites. You are not allowed to appoint over you a foreigner who is not one of your fellow Israelites. 16 That granted, the king must not acquire too many horses, and he must not return the people to Egypt in order to acquire more horses, because the LORD told you: “You will never go back by that road again.” 17 The king must not take numerous wives so that his heart doesn’t go astray. Nor can the king acquire too much silver and gold. 18 Instead, when he sits on his royal throne, he himself must write a copy of this Instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. 19 That Instruction must remain with him, and he must read in it every day of his life so that he learns to revere the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this Instruction and these regulations, by doing them, 20 by not being overbearing toward his fellow Israelites, and by not deviating even a bit from the commandment. If the king does all that, he will ensure lasting rule in Israel for himself and for his successors.
Good Morning, Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path!
Throughout the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is sharing the instruction that he has received from God with the Israelites. In particular, in this passage, he is discussing the role of an anointed King. Moses’ focus is on following the instructions contained in the scroll and remaining humble as evidenced by the words for the chosen leader to limit his acquisitions. In verse nineteen, Moses emphasizes the need to read the Instructions (the Word) daily so that the Word is revered and practiced as written.
We all have daily tasks that we can repeat without reading the manual. I don’t have to read the instruction manual each day before going out to start my car. I can find my way to local places and places that I often visit without the use of a map or GPS. It is comforting, however, to have a backup system or manual when I am unsure of how to proceed.
I have many “recipes” that I have prepared so many times that I need to get out the recipe card or the cookbook. Or so I thought! Have you ever gone back and read the recipe for that favorite dish: mom’s or grandma’s favorite recipe? Sometimes, I realize that I have changed something over the years and the longer I go without looking at it the more changes become possible. Perhaps, I was out of something and I made a substitution for a missing ingredient. The next time that “new” way is most current in my mind and without realizing it that might become the norm. The cookies are still good, but if this trend continues the favorite recipe is no longer recognizable.
This is what Moses is trying to tell the Israelites. In order to follow the instructions delivered to him by God, they must be reviewed and read daily. God provides us with everything we need and we are given the instruction manual (the Bible) to lead us along our way. But just like that favorite recipe that has become altered along the way, if our Bibles stay on the shelf gathering dust, we will likely adjust and alter the instructions over time. Maybe our compassion is running low one day, so we substitute pity. How does this change our perception or our response? What about the one who receives our pity instead of our compassion? Is it the same for them?
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
When I feel afraid
Think I've lost my way
Still you're there right beside me
And nothing will I fear
As long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
I will not forget
Your love for me and yet
My heart forever is wandering
Jesus be my guide
And hold me to your side
I will love you to the end
Nothing will I fear as long as you are near
Please be near me to the end
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path
And a light unto my path
You're the light unto my path
I have recipes in my collection, that are stained and the pages are ragged because I have read and used them so many times. Blessed are those whose Bibles are tattered, stained, and worn for they are working to be God’s children.
Loving God, Thank You for being with us. Help us remember to return to the Word so that we may serve you as we are called. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: There is always something new to learn in the life of faith.
Read the Word! Pastor Liz
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