TODAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 29:2–29; 30; 31:1–29.

WORD OF THE DAY: Watchful.

No video for today, but you can listen to today’s podcast episode here: Day 79 - Choosing Life: Deuteronomy 29–31

Imagine standing on the edge of everything you’ve ever wanted. The Promised Land is right there, across the river. But before the Israelites can cross, Moses pulls them back for one final, heart-to-heart talk.

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To be watchful is to be alert, vigilant, and observant. Moses warns the people about a dangerous type of person: the one who hears the words of the covenant but thinks, “I will be safe, even though I persist in going my own way” (Deut 29:19). That “secret” drifting is what Moses fears most.

One of the most encouraging parts of today’s reading is Deuteronomy 30:11-14. Moses tells them that God’s command isn’t “up in heaven” or “beyond the sea” where they can’t reach it. It’s very near—it’s in their mouths and hearts. Following God isn’t a mystery reserved for the elite; it’s a choice available to every single person standing on that plain.

We also see a beautiful and bittersweet transition. Moses is 120 years old. He can no longer lead, so he calls Joshua forward. He tells him, “Be strong and courageous... the Lord himself goes before you.” Even as leadership changes, the Leader remains the same.

Moses tells the people to “choose life.” What is one specific “life-giving” choice you can make today that requires you to be watchful against your old, stubborn habits?

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Lord, thank You for setting life and death before us and giving us the grace to choose Life. Help us to be watchful today—alert to the ways our hearts might try to drift or become self-satisfied. Give us the strength and courage of Joshua as we move into the “territory” You have for us. Amen.

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TODAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 26:1–29:1.

WORD OF THE DAY: Fear.

Have you ever had a conversation that left you feeling “stretched”? That’s what Michelle and Tricia are experiencing as they read through these heavy chapters of Deuteronomy. It’s not just “ancient history”; it’s a mirror for our own lives today.

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In Hebrew, the word is Yura. While we often think of fear as being “scared,” in a biblical context, it is a combination of holy reverence, awe, and the sobering realization of who God is. It’s the “trembling” that comes when you realize the One who loves you is also the One who holds the power of the universe.

Moses sets up a powerful visual for the people. Half the tribes stand on one mountain to shout blessings; the other half stands on another to shout curses. Why? Because God wanted the weight of their choices to ring in their ears. He wasn’t just giving them a list of rules; He was giving them a map to success. He wanted them to succeed!

Tricia connected this to Galatians 6:7–8: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” The curses we read about—the panic, the confusion, the “blindness of mind”—are the natural results of walking away from the Light. When we choose our own way over God’s way, we aren’t just breaking a rule; we are distancing ourselves from the Source of Life.

One of the best parts of this journey is doing it together. Whether it’s Tricia talking with John or Michelle being challenged by Joe’s perspective, the Word of God is meant to be discussed. It’s how we move from “just reading” to “reaping eternal life.”

Deuteronomy 28 lists blessings that “overtake” those who obey. Have you ever felt “overtaken” by God’s goodness in a specific season? Write down that memory today.

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Awesome and Glorious God, we stand in awe of Your name. Help us to grow in true Yura—a reverence that keeps us close to You. We choose “Door Number One” today, Lord. May our actions today sow to the Spirit so that we may reap the beauty of Your presence. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 21:10–25:19.

WORD OF THE DAY: Possession.

As we read through the lists of laws in Deuteronomy, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But our friend Verna from our Facebook community said it best: “Amazing how God’s word from back then still helps us today.”

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Our Word of the Day is Possession.

A possession is something that belongs to you. In these chapters, God is reminding the Israelites (and us!) that we are His special possession. Because we belong to Him, we are called to look and act differently.

Tricia noted today that many of these laws—which might seem harsh to us—were actually God “gentling” a barbaric world. In a culture where women and the poor were often treated as disposable, God stepped in with regulations to protect their dignity and welfare. Whether it was giving a woman time to mourn or ensuring a landowner didn’t harvest his fields so closely that the poor couldn’t eat, God was teaching His people how to be a community of love.

One verse that hits home is Deuteronomy 21:23: “anyone who is hung on a tree is cursed in the sight of God.” Thousands of years later, Jesus would hang on a tree (the cross) to take the curse of our disobedience upon Himself. Every law we read today highlights our need for a Savior who could fulfill the law perfectly on our behalf.

Tricia shared a story about her “La La Bear”—a tattered teddy bear with a broken music box that suddenly started playing again. You might feel tattered by life. You might feel “out of wedlock” or “cast out” like some of the people mentioned in these laws. But in Christ, those old labels are gone. You are a chosen race and a royal priesthood.

God’s laws about plucking grain allowed Jesus’ disciples to eat as they traveled. Where do you see God’s “safety nets” or “provisions” in your own life today?

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Lord, thank You that we are Your special possession. Even when we feel battered and worn, You see us as priceless. Help us to live in a way that proclaims Your excellence and reflects Your heart for justice and mercy to everyone we meet. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 16:18–21:9.

WORD OF THE DAY: Model.

Have you ever felt like you were “reading just to read”? Tricia shared today that even when it feels that way, God’s Word is making an impact. It’s like learning math drills in school—at the time, it feels tedious, but later, it’s what helps you navigate real-life decisions.

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Our Word of the Day is Model.

In art, a model is often a clay or wax image used to prepare for a more durable final product. In the same way, the laws and instructions in the Old Testament are like a clay model, pointing us toward the durable, perfect life of Jesus Christ.

One of the most unique commands in Deuteronomy 17 is for the future king. He wasn’t told to build the biggest army or amass the most gold. He was told to copy the law. God knew that if the king’s heart was shaped by the Word, his leadership would be shaped by justice. He wanted the king to be modeled after His own heart, not the hearts of the neighboring pagan kings.

Michelle reminded us about the “copy of a copy” effect. If we only model our lives after people—even good people or social media influencers—the image eventually gets blurry and faded. To keep our lives “crisp” and clear, we have to keep going back to the original: the Word of God and the person of Jesus.

We also talked about how the Bible is like a massive tapestry. When we look at the back, it might look like a jumble of threads, but as we see these cross-references (like Moses’ prophecy of the coming Prophet being fulfilled at Jesus’ baptism), we get a glimpse of the beautiful picture God has been weaving since the beginning of time.

The king was required to have his own copy of the Word. In what ways are you making God’s Word “your own” rather than just relying on what others say about it?

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Heavenly Father, thank You for the “clay models” in the Old Testament that point us toward Jesus. Help us to be like the kings of old—people who write Your Word on our hearts so we don’t wander. Keep us from imitating the culture and help us to model our lives after Your Son. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 13–15; 16:1–17.

WORD OF THE DAY: Celebrate.

When we think of “tithing,” we often think of a duty—a check we write or a button we click on a church app. But in Deuteronomy 14, God describes the tithe as a celebration.

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Our Word of the Day is Celebrate, which means taking part in special, enjoyable activities to show that an occasion is important. Did you know that the Israelites were told to bring their tithe to the place of worship and eat it in the presence of the Lord? They were to feast with their families, their servants, and even the foreigners and orphans among them.

Michelle pointed out a fascinating tension in Deuteronomy 15. In verse 4, Moses says there should be no poor among the people because of God’s blessing. But in verse 11, he says there will always be poor people in the land. Why the contradiction? Because the “no poor” promise was conditional on the people’s obedience. If everyone opened their hands and lent freely, poverty would be wiped out. It’s a convicting reminder that God often uses our hands to be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

Whether it’s the Passover, the Festival of Harvest, or the Festival of Shelters, these weren’t just religious obligations. They were moments designed to help the people remember God’s character. As Jen Wilkin says, “We don’t learn the Bible for the sake of learning the Bible; we learn it for the sake of learning the character of God.”

Tricia mentioned how her church (and even her son’s church) has a potluck every Sunday. How would your view of “church” or “giving” change if you saw it as a weekly celebration of God’s goodness with your community?

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Father, thank You that You are a God of celebration! Help us to see our resources not as something to hoard, but as a way to honor You and bless others. Give us open hearts and open hands for those in need, and help us to live lives that invite others into the joy of knowing You. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 10–12.

WORD OF THE DAY: Cling.

If you’ve ever seen a toddler grab onto their parent’s leg at a church nursery, you know exactly what it looks like to cling. It’s not a polite handshake; it’s an active, strong, “don’t-let-go” grip.

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Our Word of the Day is Cling, which in Hebrew suggests a pursuit so intense that you are chasing after God’s favor and approval above everything else. Moses spent today’s reading urging the Israelites to fear, live, love, obey, and—most importantly—cling to God.

In Deuteronomy 11, we see a big “if.” If the Israelites serve God alone, the blessings will flow. But if they turn away, the heavens will shut up. This isn’t God being “mean”; it’s God being their “all in all.” He wants to be the source of their rain, their food, and their joy. He knows that anything else they cling to will eventually fail them.

Moses is repeating himself for a reason. His time on earth is short, and he wants these life-saving truths to be the last things the Israelites hear before they cross the Jordan. He knows that in the “good land,” success can be just as dangerous as failure because it makes us forget our need for God.

Michelle shared about her friend Diane, a quiet introvert who “glowed” with the love of Christ. Even when her health failed and her family passed away, she didn’t cling to people—she clung to the Word. She had verses all over her house because she knew that knowing God was the only way to truly love Him.

David said in Psalm 63, “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” When life feels like a “white-knuckle” climb, what specific promise of God are you holding onto today to keep you from falling?

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Lord, help us to be a people who cling to You. In a world full of distractions and “other gods,” keep our eyes fixed on Your goodness. We want to fear You, love You, and serve You with everything we are. Thank You for being the Rock we can always hold onto. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 6–9.

WORD OF THE DAY: Wholeheartedly.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to pray when you’re in the wilderness, but how easy it is to forget God when you’re “full”?

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Our Word of the Day is Wholeheartedly, which means being completely and sincerely devoted. Moses spent today’s reading warning the Israelites about the “danger of the full belly.” He knew that once they had houses they didn’t build and wells they didn’t dig, they might start thinking they did it all on their own.

The command in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 is so central that many Jewish people still recite it twice a day. It’s a call to bind God’s word to our hands and foreheads—to let it influence everything we do (our hands) and everything we think (our eyes). Tricia mentioned the idea of having the Gospel “tattooed on our eyelids” so it’s the first thing we see when we blink. While that might be a bit painful literally, the sentiment is beautiful: God wants to be that present in our minds.

One of the most mind-blowing details in Deuteronomy 8 is that during 40 years of desert wandering, the Israelites’ clothes didn’t wear out and their feet didn’t swell. God wasn’t just providing food; He was protecting the very fabric on their backs.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He didn’t argue with Satan using His own logic; He quoted Deuteronomy 8:3. He understood that our true sustenance doesn’t come from bread, but from the mouth of God.

Tricia shared about her 94-year-old grandmother who can no longer do much physically, but is still wholeheartedly devoted to Jesus through prayer and hymns. Michelle talked about Elizabeth Elliot’s unwavering commitment in Ecuador. Whether your life is quiet or famous, where is God calling you to show “wholeheartedness” today?

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Father, help us to love You with all our heart, soul, and strength. In seasons of plenty, don’t let us forget that You are the source of every good thing. In seasons of wilderness, remind us that Your word is our life. May our devotion be sincere and our hearts be fully Yours. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 3:21–5:33.

WORD OF THE DAY: Supplication.

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you pleaded with God, only to hear Him say “no”?

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Our Word of the Day is Supplication.

Supplication means asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly. In Deuteronomy 3, we see Moses—the man who talked to God like a friend—begging to see the Promised Land. He calls God “Adonai Yahweh” (Sovereign Lord), a title used in humble appeal. But God denies the request.

What’s amazing is what Moses does next. He doesn’t go on strike or grumble. Instead, he turns to the people and pleads with them to listen and obey. He realizes his role has changed from “Leader of the Journey” to “Preparer of the People.” He warns them five times to “be careful,” twice to “never forget,” and repeatedly to “obey completely.”

Tricia reminded us that the ancient phrase for making a covenant was to “cut” one. It involved a serious, sacred binding. Moses emphasizes to this new generation that the Covenant wasn’t just for their ancestors who died in the wilderness—it is for them, the living. It is a current, active relationship.

Moses tells the people that their intelligence and wisdom will be proven by how they follow God’s decrees. When the world looks at us, they shouldn’t just see people following rules; they should see a people whose God is near to them whenever they call.

Michelle shared about a friend who prayed for her prodigal children with deep supplication. Is there something you are earnestly begging God for right now? How can you hold that request humbly, while still trusting that God’s “no” might be making room for a different, greater plan?

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Lord, we thank You for the example of Moses. Thank You that we can come to You with our hearts wide open, pleading for the things we desire. Help us to accept Your answers with grace and to stay focused on the work You have for us today. May we be a people who never forget Your wonderful deeds. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 1–3:20.

WORD OF THE DAY: Secured.

We have officially entered the fifth book of the Torah! Deuteronomy is essentially Moses’ “final address” to the people he has led for four decades. He’s like a father giving his children one last pep talk before they head out on their own.

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Our Word of the Day is Secured.

To be secured means to be fixed or attached so firmly that you cannot be moved or lost. In today’s reading, we see God securing territories not just for Israel, but for the descendants of Esau and Lot as well. It’s a beautiful reminder that God is the God of the whole earth.

Why does Moses spend so much time recapping the journey? Because the Israelites were a forgetful people—and so are we. We need to be reminded of where we’ve been to understand where we’re going. Moses reminds them of the appointment of leaders and the sending out of scouts, but he also reminds them of their rebellion. He wants them to learn from the past so they don’t repeat it in the Promised Land.

Michelle reminded us of the beautiful hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” Even when the Israelites grumbled and failed, God’s compassion did not fail. He provided for them every step of the way, just as a father cares for his child.

In Deuteronomy 1, the command to go in and occupy the land is “sandwiched” between two promises. God doesn’t just give us a job to do; He surrounds that job with His presence and His previous oaths. Your calling is nestled in His commitment to you.

Tricia shared a story about feeling God’s protection during a scary accident. Have you ever had a moment where you felt “secured” by the invisible hand of God, even when things felt like they were sliding out of control? Write about that moment today.

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Lord God, You are our security. Thank You for being the God who never changes and whose compassions never fail. As we begin this new book, help us to have hearts that listen and minds that remember Your faithfulness. Secure our salvation and our hope in You alone. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Job 40:6–24; 41–42.

WORD OF THE DAY: Restored.

We’ve all heard the phrase “the patience of Job,” but as we finish this book, we see that Job’s journey wasn’t just about waiting—it was about seeing.

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Our Word of the Day is Restored.

To restore something means to bring it back to its previous state, often by stripping away the old to reveal the beauty underneath. God didn’t just give Job his “stuff” back; He restored Job’s faith and his perspective.

In the final chapters, God points to creatures like the Behemoth and Leviathan. Whether these were dinosaurs that roamed the earth after the flood or other massive creatures, the point remains: if we cannot fully understand or control the physical world God created, how can we expect to fully comprehend His divine justice?

Michelle asked a soul-searching question: Would Job have been this captivated by God if he hadn’t gone through the pain? It’s a hard truth to swallow, but often it is the “stripping down” process that allows us to see God clearly. Job moved from having “heard” about God to “seeing” Him. His restoration didn’t erase the past—he still carried the memories of the children he lost—but it transformed his future.

Tricia reminded us that restoration doesn’t mean our lives will be exactly the same as they were before hardship. It means they can be beautiful again. Like an antique that has been sanded down and revarnished, the wood is the same, but the glow is new.

Job admitted he was “talking about things I knew nothing about.” What is one situation in your life right now where you need to stop questioning God’s “why” and start trusting His “Who”?

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Lord, we thank You that You are a Restoring God. For every listener who feels stripped down or caught in a whirlwind of grief, I pray for a glimpse of Your beauty today. Remind us that You are holding the world—and our lives—in Your hands. Transform our pain into a deeper knowledge of You. Amen.