Meditation

12/10/2021

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep : Every male among you shall be circumcised” (Genesis 112:1, 10)

Two general ethical expectations (verse 1 and verse 10). The pattern is the same for contemporary people of God. General principles for ethical decisions making built on a covenant relationship give direction for specific circumstances. The example in verse reveals that God is willing to reveal Himself to His people, which is awesome, but even more so is that He is willing to talk with His people and is willing to reveal His will to them.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, You reveal yourself in a variety of ways, and even sometimes You show us Yourself. Even more awesome, is that You are willing to be clear about Your will in specific matters clearly. Let our worship then flow out of grateful hearts. This we pray. Amen

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“The closest distance between a problem and its solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.”

KNOWING GOD:

“Praise the Lord. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in h is commands.” (Psalm 112:1)

Fear of God brings happiness. Happiness comes from appreciating the guidelines God has set out for life and following them. Obedience is a joy rather than a burden. First of all, the “Fear” referenced is a reverential fear, whereby we honor God for all that He has provided for us.

“And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)!” There is no literal promise of accumulation of wealth, but the quality of one’s life will reflect the true wealth of fulfillment and righteousness.

I AM:

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1^st Peter 2:12)

Obedience to God’s moral imperatives is a strong witness to unbelievers. The power of a holy life speaks for itself; for it speaks of God in our lives. To witness from any other perspective than a dedicated life puts the life to our words. We must live as well as speak. Then the lost world can cling to no excuse for refusing God and His salvation.

SECOND THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1^st John 2:3-6)

God’s love is made complete in the life of the one who obeys God’s commands. The life of the obedient follower of Christ becomes a channel for God to express His redemptive love for others. If we do not obey God’s commands, we can hardly have confidence we know God through faith in Christ! In fact, John says bluntly that the person who claims to know God but does not obey His commands is making a false claim. Obedience gives assurance of salvation. Christ’s followers seek to live like Jesus did!