Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32 ~ Luke 8:22-39 ~ Psalm 70:1-5 ~ Proverbs 12:4
Today is March 29th. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I’m Brian. How are you today? We just have two days left in this month and it is exciting. We’re making progress as we move our way through the scriptures this year. So we’ll move back into the book of Deuteronomy, back out to the edge of the Jordan River where the children of Israel are listening to Moses speak the last things that he wants to say before he transfers leadership of the children of Israel on and moves away from these people that he’s led for so long. So we’re reading from the Common English Bible this week, Deuteronomy chapter 11, verse 1 through 12:32.
Commentary
As Moses continues to recount the story of how the children of Israel became the children of Israel and how it is that they find themselves on the precipice of entering the promised land once again, over and over and over what he is trying to instill in them is that when they get there they must not forget their history. They must not forget how they got here. They must not forget the Lord their God who brought them here. So he tells them, “Place these words I’m speaking on your heart and in your very being. Tie them on your hand as a sign. They should be on your forehead as a symbol. Teach them to your children by talking about them when you are sitting around your house and when you are out and about, when you’re lying down and when you’re getting up. Write them on your houses’ doorframes and on your cities’ gates. Do all that so your days and your children’s days in the fertile land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors are many, indeed, as many as the number of days as the sky has been over the earth. In other words, forever.”
So even today if you are among the Jewish community, I mean, it is still part of their custom. Even people who don’t believe any of this still have this woven into their culture so it is not unusual to see, in an orthodox way, to have these things tied around their hands or attached to their foreheads, on the doorposts of their homes. I mean, you can’t go to a hotel practically in Israel that it is not on the doorpost in your room, in this little thing attached to the doorframe.
So does that mean we need to go get all that stuff and start walking around that way? No, not unless it is going to remind you, because that was the point. The point wasn’t that you just do all of this and not remember. The point was to remember. So whatever it is that will remind us, whatever it is that will keep us constantly present to what the Lord is saying and how he is leading and to his presence, that is important because it is easy for us to forget how we got here. And if we don’t like where we are, it is easy to start blaming anything we can find for it rather than admitting our own culpability in it. So remembering is no less of a big deal. It is no less important now than it was then.
As you see as we go through these laws, at first blush we’re like ‘why is this in the Bible?’ And then at second blush, we’re like ‘man, there’s just a lot to this.’ And at third blush, it is kind of like ‘some of this stuff is kind of bloody’ and we get lost on the surface, when the point is everything about this law and custom and ritual, everything about everything in this culture is a reminder of who they are, who God is, where they’ve come from, and where they’re going if they will simply stay true and present to God, if they will love him with all that they are. If they will interweave conversation about the Lord into everything that they do, they will stay present to him. And as they stay present to him, they are intertwined with him in relationship. This is the point and it is no less true right now, this very second. So may we consider the things in our lives that are those reminders, the things that we go to daily that create a rhythm in our lives, that are reminding us, because we forget and we are seduced away so easily.
Prayer
Father, we invite you into that. One of these things is certainly the rhythm of coming to your word every day, but show us the other things that match our relationship, that match the lifestyle that you have allowed us to have and that we are grateful for. Show us the things that are constant reminders of your presence. Show us how to be mindful and present to you in every second of every day, in every decision, in every word and every thought, in all that we are so that we never lose sight of the fact that you are near and we must be near you if we ever hope to have the intimacy with you that we desire. So come, Holy Spirit, into this, we pray. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Announcements
Www.DailyAudioBible.com is the website. It’s home base. It’s where you find out what is going on around here, so be sure to check it out. Check out the Prayer Wall. Pray for your brothers and sisters. These little lifestyle things are important and so being mindful of each other and praying for each other, this is one of the ways that, even though we’re a virtual community, we are continually talking about the goodness of God and that we are encouraging one another through those difficult times. This is one of the ways that looks now. So the Prayer Wall is a great place for that. DAB Friends on Facebook is a great place for that. There are lots of places for that in our lives, but we’re trying to find practical ways and these things plug into the community that we share here, and so, yeah, check it out.
If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, thank you. That is how we have a community in the first place. We are all in this together and we’re constantly reminded that we’re in this together so that no one has to feel alone on this faith journey, isolated and completely abandoned. There is no need for that. It is not true. So thank you for your partnership. If you’re using the app, you can press the More button in the lower right-hand corner. If you prefer the mail, the mailing address is P.O. Box 1996, Spring Hill, TN 37174.
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And that’s it for today. I’m Brian. I love you and I will be waiting for you here tomorrow.
Community Prayer Requests and Praise Reports
Hi, it’s Lourdes from Canada and I’m just calling in. I just heard Rich from Arkansas. He’s 500 days sober and you said you went to the USA for a job interview and you “fell on your feet,” and I just wanted to say to you, Rich, that we hear you, that God hears you, and I want to encourage you, that yes, he can set you free and it is his desire to do so. Our God is no respecter of person and what you saw him do and heal in the word, he will do for you. I agree with you. He is a one-step God. So let’s go to prayer. God of all hope, comfort and peace, thank you that you are able to heal and that it is your desire to give us the kingdom. I’m praying that you would make this bumpy road straight for my brother and that you would sanctify his life as he abides in your word. Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I would not sin against you. Father, remind my brother that your work is a finished work on the cross. It is done. That he has moved from darkness to light, he is a new creation in Christ Jesus, and that he has all power right now to live in righteousness and be set free from this sin. But Father, as he walks on this earth and as he is sanctified and, Father, as you are with him by your Holy Spirit in this battle, I pray, Holy Spirit, that you would strengthen my brother as he battles this addiction here on earth. And we give you thanks and we give you all the glory for the healing that you will accomplish in this man’s life. You said that the work that you have begun, that you would complete. And so we stand on your precious promises and we lift our arms in prayer on behalf of our brother. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Hello, this is my first time calling. This is Belinda from Georgia. I just heard a man who said he had been free from using alcohol for over 500 days and he had a relapse when he went to New York City for a job interview. My heart was just touched by this man. I just want to encourage you and tell you that yes, Jesus did heal the blind man and he was not blind. He could see from that time on, but sometimes God does not work in our lives and other people’s lives in the same way. I just want to say that all my life I struggled with my weight and about two years ago I lost over 50 pounds. I’ve lost probably close to 70 pounds in all and it is a struggle every single day to keep that off. Sometimes God wants us just to trust him every single day, every moment of every day and know that he is all the strength and all the power that we need. And that may be God’s plan for you. I know that has been God’s plan for me. But just know that I will be praying for you, that God will just really grab hold of your life and that you will know that in Jesus you have everything that you need. Thanks. Bye-bye.
Hi, my name is Sharon and I live in Red Deer County in Alberta, Canada. I’m just calling today for all of the people that I guess are struggling or even those that just need a little encouragement. I just want to pass along one of my favorite Bible verses. It is in Song of Solomon, chapter 2, verse 6: His left hand cradles my head and his right arm encircles my waist. To me it’s just a beautiful picture of how God just holds onto us. He is our beloved and we are his. Just hold onto the fact that no matter what you do and where you are, he is right there and he’s holding us. Thanks.
Hi, this is Bonnie from Virginia. I am calling to encourage brother, I think he said his name is Tony from California and he is a correction officer and is having some family issues. But I hear whatever you shared, that I can see your confession and you are realizing your mistake. I believe that making mistake is not a problem, but not learning a lesson from mistake is a problem. But I am not a preacher, but I have experience of teaching for 12 years as a teacher. Still, whatever I learn from the Bible I just want to share with you and encourage you with this message. We all are not perfect, As the book of Romans says, there are none righteous person. Otherwise, we would not need Christ and cross. So you have confessed your sin, brother. I will be praying for you and keep your heart strong and just go to the cross and always pray to God, asking wisdom what you should be doing for your family. Thank you. I will be praying for you. Bye.
Hi Daily Audio Bible family. This is Cheryl in Arizona. I am calling specifically today to respond to something Pastor Gene said. I have been listening to the Community Prayer. Today is Sunday, March 26th, and Pastor Gene was talking about that it is wonderful to feel emotions when we are worshipping and praising God, but that we won’t always feel God and sometimes we’ll feel bad or sad or lonely. And to remember the scripture that we walk by faith and not by sight. And that we are in command of our emotions instead of our emotions ruling our lives. You said that was for someone and, Pastor Gene, I just want to say that immediately when I heard you say that, I felt very strongly that it was for me. And then right following it, tears came to my eyes, so I felt. It is like that sting that happens when we hear something that we know is for us. It may be painful. But I just want to say thank you and I love you and I appreciate you. I appreciate your prayers and your faithfulness. So thank you for that. Just wanted to say so and I love all of you so very much and am truly grateful to be a part of such a wonderful community of people. Brian and Jill, I love you both so very much and appreciate you more than words. Thank you so much for your faithfulness and your commitment and your love. I hope you all have a wonderful day and week ahead. Talk to you next time. Bye-bye.
This is for McKenzie. McKenzie, it is so good to hear your voice. The exuberance that you spoke with warmed my heart. I have had you on my prayer list and I’ve been praying that the Lord would bless and heal you of your anxiety. Praise God. Thank you, Lord, for touching so many at that youth camp. May all the seeds that were planted come to fruition and may McKenzie grow closer and trust you more and share her faith as she defeats any anxiety that tries to come against her. Thank you, Father. Rich from Arkansas, may the Lord strengthen you and heal you of your addiction. Cast all your cares, all your fears on him because he cares for you, Rich. Alleah, Alleah, Alleah, God loves you. You are loved. I’m praying for you and I know many are praying for you. You are loved, Alleah. This is Sue from Costa Rica. Love never fails.