Deuteronomy 24-27
The recurring theme for today; foreigners, the fatherless, the widow. God was very specific about caring for the helpless, the outcast, those in need. In the New Testament, the concept of extending God’s grace to those without hope is very specifically restated. James says that pure and acceptable religion before God is to care for the widow and orphan. The foreigner is not included because in the New Covenant there is no foreigner. The foreigner in the Old Testament was speaking in regards to those who were not part of the children of Israel. The new covenant is for all people; it is not limited to a particular people. With that explained, what do we learn about God from these verses? That He is full of grace and compassion, just as He says. When we learn something about Him, we must always evaluate whether or not we truly believe that. Do my thoughts and attitudes towards God reflect the truth about Him? Furthermore, what do we learn about our relationship towards others? There is and will always be among us those who are without hope. Do we even begin to understand that we are the mouthpiece of God, extending His compassion and love to them? We have got to stop living such self centered lives and begin to live aware of those around us. He is hope to those who have none. He is compassion to those who have received none. We are the vessel, the visible evidence, of God’s reality. They will never know Him or ever receive His love without us allowing His love to pour from our lives. God went to great effort to protect and provide for those who were helpless. As His children, we are called to extend the same love and action.
The recurring theme for today; foreigners, the fatherless, the widow. God was very specific about caring for the helpless, the outcast, those in need. In the New Testament, the concept of extending God’s grace to those without hope is very specifically restated. James says that pure and acceptable religion before God is to care for the widow and orphan. The foreigner is not included because in the New Covenant there is no foreigner. The foreigner in the Old Testament was speaking in regards to those who were not part of the children of Israel. The new covenant is for all people; it is not limited to a particular people. With that explained, what do we learn about God from these verses? That He is full of grace and compassion, just as He says. When we learn something about Him, we must always evaluate whether or not we truly believe that. Do my thoughts and attitudes towards God reflect the truth about Him? Furthermore, what do we learn about our relationship towards others? There is and will always be among us those who are without hope. Do we even begin to understand that we are the mouthpiece of God, extending His compassion and love to them? We have got to stop living such self centered lives and begin to live aware of those around us. He is hope to those who have none. He is compassion to those who have received none. We are the vessel, the visible evidence, of God’s reality. They will never know Him or ever receive His love without us allowing His love to pour from our lives. God went to great effort to protect and provide for those who were helpless. As His children, we are called to extend the same love and action.
And a P.S. from yesterday’s reading that I failed to include: Word to the Wise; it’s never a good idea to marry for looks! If the guy had never just picked the woman based only on her beauty, he would have been saved a lot of trouble. Looks can be deceiving.
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