“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.  He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)

The iconic 23^rd Psalm is known around the world.   Even by those who don’t know its origin, it is cited and quoted.

What gives the Psalm its tranquil beauty and calming tone is how passive it is.  The psalmist is doing nothing while God, the Shepherd, is doing everything.  The sheep merely need to trust the Shepherd while He provides food, water, shelter, medical care, and protection.

The soothing effect of the psalm is directly proportional to the depth and strength of our faith.

Greater faith – greater peace.  Lack of faith – lack of peace.  The Shepherd is unchanging, but the sheep must decide how much they trust Him.

“Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Deuteronomy 32-34; Joshua 1-6; Psalm 23; Proverbs 23 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“On that day [the day they crossed the Jordan on dry ground], the LORD exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, so that they revered him, just as they revered Moses all the days of his life.” (Joshua 4:14)

         When we read the first chapters of the book of Joshua, we see a man in transition to leadership.  God is constantly reminding Joshua to be brave and fearless, and Moses is telling him the same thing.  From Joshua’s perspective, he was about to fill some very big shoes as he took over Moses’ mantle as leader of Israel.  How can I possibly do this job?

         The end result?  God parts the waters of Jordan just like God parted the waters of the Red Sea, and Israel follows Joshua on dry ground just like they did Moses.  God asked Joshua to lead, and then God blessed him in that leadership.  The lesson for us is that God equips us to the jobs He expects us to do.  It was true with Joshua, and it will be true for you, too.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Deuteronomy 32-34; Joshua 1-6; Psalm 23; Proverbs 23 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you…” (Joshua 2:12)

         Hebrews 11:31 tells us that Rahab the prostitute saved the lives of the two spies “by faith”.  The Joshua account of Rahab and the spies bears that out.  Three times in her conversation with the spies she references “the LORD”, using His chosen name, Jehovah, given to Moses and Israel.  Rahab was clear – she stuck her neck out to save the spies because she believed Jehovah was the God of heaven and earth.

         Rahab’s faith was not a mature one – certainly a harlot had much yet to learn about how to live faithfully for the LORD, but it was faithful.  Don’t confuse immaturity with faithlessness.  Rahab trusted God with what she knew and what she had.  There was much yet which she did not know, but what she did know, she followed.  Can the same be said about us?

         I fear sometimes that I am the opposite.  That I know much and follow little.  More information without obedience is not faith.  Followers of Christ are saved, not professors of Biblical theology. Knowing is not a replacement for doing.  What little Rahab knew, she did something about, and it was accounted to her as faith.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Deuteronomy 32-34; Joshua 1-6; Psalm 23; Proverbs 23 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“And He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no man knows his [Moses’] burial place to this day.” (Deuteronomy 34:6)

         God buried Moses and hid the body.  This fascinating detail is referenced in the book of Jude when we are told Michael, the archangel, argued with the devil over possession of the body of Moses (see Jude 1:9).  There is much left unanswered about this debate, and we, the readers, are left wondering why God hid the body and why the devil wanted it.  We can hypothesize, but the Bible gives no answers.  The details are left unknown to us.

         Here is what we can know.  The spiritual realm is deeply interested in the goings on of man.  Moses’ life and death drew the attention of archangel and Satan alike.  The great and mighty spiritual forces at work in the heavenly places were fixated upon the events of an earthly life.

         Our lives have eternal impact.  How we live, especially in respect to our faith in and glorification of Jesus, makes a difference.  Who knows what heavenly host is watching your actions today!  Live like your faith makes a difference.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Deuteronomy 32-34; Joshua 1-6; Psalm 23; Proverbs 23 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.” (Deuteronomy 32:21)

Paul will quote this verse in Romans 10:19 as a prophecy of God welcoming the Gentiles into the kingdom through Jesus.  In Deuteronomy, Moses is explaining that when Israel makes God jealous by worshipping idols, God will respond in kind by making them jealous, too.

Yet, even in His anger at their idolatry, God responds with love because God’s response is to open the floodgates of heaven to offer salvation to everyone, not just the Jews.  Sure it made the Jews jealous and unhappy, but it also blessed the whole world at the same time.

This is just one more example of how God is wiser than us.  Even in His anger, He acts in love and mercy.  Even when jealous, He responds with blessing.  God is always good.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Deuteronomy 32-34; Joshua 1-6; Psalm 23; Proverbs 23 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)

Your reputation is your most valuable commodity.  Protect it with your life.

When your name is spoken, people have a feeling that they associate with it.  This is why every couple has certain baby names that are off limits – bad experiences with people have tainted the name for their future children.

Your moniker is your trademark.  It is your stamp upon the world.  Make it count.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Deuteronomy 24-31; Psalm 22; Proverbs 22 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Their children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear the LORD your God…” (Deuteronomy 31:13)

         Every generation needs to hear the gospel for themselves. Moses made it clear that if the children didn’t hear the laws of God, they would never fear the Lord for themselves.  There is no such thing as faith by proxy.

         Don’t assume that since you (the parent) know what the Bible says on a given topic that your children do, too.  What is basic and fundamental to you may be foreign and new to them.  Each generation must hear and inquire for themselves.  Don’t discourage them in their discovery of the LORD by making them feel small for not knowing things yet or by creating an environment where asking questions leads to being humiliated for needing to learn.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Deuteronomy 24-31; Psalm 22; Proverbs 22

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.” (Deuteronomy 30:11)

If God expects something of you, He will provide the strength to do it.  Excuses are lists of what is preventing us from doing something, but God has removed all things which would prevent us from successfully serving Him.

You are smart enough, strong enough, rich enough, and talented enough to do what God has commanded – you may just not be brave enough or faithful enough.  That is the blunt truth of God’s Word.  It isn’t that the command is too hard; it is often that we are too soft.  Excuses are our way of avoiding the hard truth that our shortcomings are personal and not circumstantial.

When it comes to following the Bible, it is never ‘I can’t’, it is only ‘I won’t’.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Deuteronomy 24-31; Psalm 22; Proverbs 22 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand.” (Deuteronomy 28:12)

After the farmer has plowed the field, planted the seeds, weeded, and fertilized, he is left to watch the clouds – helpless to control the rains. The heavens are God’s storehouse of blessings and completely out of our control.

After all your hard work, all your toil, sweat, and tender care, the increase still belongs to God. Every day people strive for success without achieving it. Turns out that the intangible things, the things often attributed to luck, happenstance, or serendipity have more control over your life than you do. You have no say in what the weather will be, when and where you are born, the mood of your boss, or the traffic along your commute. The uncountable and unquantifiable belongs to God.

Accept vulnerability and weakness. Accept your limitations and inabilities. When we do that, we are prepared to lean upon the God of all understanding. The omnipotent I AM becomes our guardian and guide, and after we have plowed and planted, we farmers can simply sleep peacefully as we await His rains in their season.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Deuteronomy 24-31; Psalm 22; Proverbs 22 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out with the army nor be charged with any duty; he shall be free at home one year and shall give happiness to his wife whom he has taken.” (Deuteronomy 24:5)

Why was this command to men?  Probably because we are the first to forget it… off with our band of brothers, men are prone to forget their wives and the care of marriages.  Men – marriage is about responsibility of service.  It is about what you put into it, not what you get out of it.  The marriage vows are a commitment to make your wife happy and to bring her happiness.

What if every husband in America spent the next week bringing joy to his wife?  What if we thought of that as our conquest and mission instead of the earthly pursuits which often fill our days?  What would happen if our goals became creating godly marriages and godly families?

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Deuteronomy 24-31; Psalm 22; Proverbs 22

This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision