Our Identity Comes From Knowing Christ Intimately
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, help me to be in your Word and know you intimately. Amen
“See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deuteronomy 4:5-9 NIV
REFLECT:
Recently a pastor friend of mine went to an elementary school to tutor. He always wears a small wooden cross around his neck and the second grader whom he was to tutor, asked him what was hanging from his neck. He told the boy it was a cross. The pastor was surprised that the youngster had no idea what the cross was. What this pastor experienced is a sign of what we are experiencing in this country today. The Pew Associate’s polls indicate we have a whole generation of young people who are not learning about who God and Christ are.
Moses expressed this concern in the focus Scripture for today because he knew the Israelites needed to know the decrees and laws which God had commanded. Not only were the Israelites to know them but they were to teach them to their children and grandchildren. It seems they didn’t do a very good job because Judges 2:10-11 says, “After that generation (Joshua’s) died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel. The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight and served images of Baal.”
It appears from my pastor friend’s experience we are on the verge of having that happen here in this country. We need to do what Moses asked the Israelites to do, that is, to observe/study God’s Word to gain wisdom, understanding and to pass them along to our children and grandchildren.
APPLY:
Colossians 2:6-7 outlines what each of us need to do: ”[6] And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. [7] Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Our focus Scripture takes it a step further by asking us to, “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” This is exactly what we need to do to bring our nation back to the Lord.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, guide me to grow in Your Word and to pass it on to my children and grandchildren. Amen
WORSHIP: