Journey Through the Word

The final chapters of Deuteronomy give an ominous indication of what will begin to happen in Israel. There is a call to consistently reinforce God's word every seven years so that all the generations of Israel would know and serve the Lord. God reminds the people of Israel that his word is life to them. Pray that God would strengthen and nourish you with his word, that you may know, love, and follow God all the days of your life.

Deuteronomy 28-30 rehashes the blessings and curses seen in Leviticus 26. They also present us with an interesting idea: Moses challenges Israel, saying that the commands are not too hard to follow, because the word is in their mouths and in their hearts. Then Israel is presented with a choice: blessing & life, or curse & death. Pray that God would remind you that his word is in you, and that he would strengthen you through the Holy Spirit to obey his commands and choose life.

In Deuteronomy 23-27, numerous commands are given and a call is presented to Israel once again to obedience. God promises to make Israel his treasured possession and to set them above all other nations in honor and fame. We are reminded that God's blessing accompanies obedience to his commands. Pray that you would see the beauty and wisdom in God's commands and that he would equip you with strength in the Holy Spirit to walk in his ways.

Deuteronomy 19-22 features numerous unrelated commands which are given for Israel, but in the midst of the commands is another unique call: to not have fear. The passages teach us to remember that God is ultimately the victor, that what he says will come to pass, and his plans shall not fail. Pray that you would walk confidently in the will of God.

Chapters 14-18 in Deuteronomy remind us of God's intention to set Israel apart as a holy people. They were to be lights in the world, reflecting the intended relationship between God and his creation. They shouldn't look like the other nations surrounding them. That call remains for Christians today. Pray that God would continue to refine you so that you may shine his light in the world.

Deuteronomy 10-13 presented a pointed question: What does the Lord require of you? The answer is that our call is to walk in his ways in obedience, in light of his goodness and love for us. We see that ultimately our lives are boiled down to a simple choice: to live our lives in obedience to God, or to go our own way. Pray that God would reveal the intentions and thoughts of your heart, and that you would confess yourself before him so that you may be cleansed and walk humbly before him.

In Deuteronomy 5-9, we see a clear message that blessing is the result of obedience. However, we recognize in these passages that it is not our actions or our words that justify us or earn us the right to God's blessing, but it is God's love and because of his reputation that he chooses to redeem us and have relationship with us. Pray that God would remind you of his great love for you, so that your loving and worshipful response to him would be obedience.

The first chapters of Deuteronomy open with a recalling of Israel's history following the exodus from Egypt. Then, chapter 4 shows us a call to remember the commands of God, to do them, and to reinforce them constantly through action and teaching. There is a call to examine ourselves constantly, that we might be aware of and shut out the temptations that may pull us away from God and follow more closely in his ways. Pray that God would bring to remembrance the way he has moved and acted in your life, and that he would equip you and give you boldness to live out his commands and share them with those around you.

The final chapters of the book of Numbers recount the journey Israel took from Egypt into the wilderness and finally to the edges of the promised land. God once again reminds the people of Israel that they are not to be defiled or stained by what is evil, because he dwells in their midst. Pray that God would continue to refine you as you walk in his ways, so that you may be set apart for him and bring honor to his name.

Numbers 26-29 hit the reset button in Israel by the instruction to take a new census of the people of Israel. Joshua is also commissioned as the new leader of Israel when Moses is finished. We see the importance of leadership and are reminded how our ultimate shepherd is Jesus. Pray that God would bring you more fully into his fold under his leadership, that you may walk confidently in his ways.