I was up early this morning and on the road around 6am to make deliveries to some of the seminary classes. I had prayed that I would travel in safety and that things would go smoothly. I should have known better than to ask for things to go smoothly, it seems like whenever I do that, things go anything but smoothly. This morning wasn't any different!
What was different was my attitude about the situation. I wasn't angry or frustrated, instead I started to think about the positives like: I get to visit with some good people again and I have the opportunity to drive through some beautiful country. This is progress for me and I am really grateful for that. But there's more! As I'm driving around I started to worry a little about the extra time it was taking and not being home to let the dog out. I hoped that the boys would recognize the problem and let the dog out for me. Imagine my smile when I get home and the dog is outside and there aren't any puddles to clean up! Extra brownie points for the boys today!
I love that things all worked out this morning, it let me know that the Lord is there watching over me and my family. An extra big thank you to God for being there when I needed Him!
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
As Moses prepares to leave the people he continues to teach them how to properly worship God. In this chapter Moses speaks of the offering of the Firstfruits. As Israel is called to worship, they are reminded of the thoughts that should occupy the heart of any true worshiper. Worship is far more than just gathering together to sing a few songs, pray a few prayers, hear a few lessons and go home. Worship has its foundation in a heart that is filled with love for God and what He has done for the worshiper. The children of Israel are told to approach Him with appreciation for the wonderful things He has done for them. Consider what the true worshiper is to have in his mind as he approaches God.
Appreciation for:
His Redemption (vv.5-8) - The Israelite is to come before God and offer thanksgiving for how God has worked in the lives of His people. He is to be thankful for how God brought His people from nothing and has given them everything. The worshiper is to be thankful for how God used His power to deliver His people from their bondage and is to remember that he has been redeemed by the blood of the lamb (Ex 12 The Passover).
Jesus came into this world and shed His blood for our redemption also (1 Pet 1:18-19). He atoned for our sins and called us to come unto Him (John 6:44.) Should we also keep appreciation in our hearts for our redemption?
His Restoration (v 1) - The Israelite worshiper is reminded that God brought him out of Egypt and has settled him in the Promised Land. He would remember how God brought them out of a place of desolation and into a place of blessing and he would be appreciative of all the Lord had done for them. In other words, the Lord had given Israel a heritage and they were to be thankful for it!
The same should be true of us. We need to remember that the Lord brought us out of a hopeless life filled with sin, into a life filled with blessings and progression. He delivered us from a place of separation and isolation, into a place of spiritual intimacy with Him. He has restored us to a place where we can have a perfect relationship with Him. That truth should cause us to worship and glorify Him (Ps 62:7). What blessings has your relationship with God brought to your life?
His Rewards (vv 2, 9) - The Israelite worshiper was to remember that God had blessed him beyond belief. He had planted him in a place where all his needs were met. He was to remember that he had been given a land, a place of peace, prosperity and blessings. He was to be grateful for those blessings or rewards.
Isn’t the same true of us? God has blessed us beyond belief! In fact, Ephesians 1:3 tells us that He has “blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Just consider some of what He has given us:
· Everlasting life (John 6:47; 10:28)
· Adoption into His family (1 John 3:1-3; Rom. 8:15)
· His presence (Heb. 13:5)
· His love (Jer. 31:3)
· His forgiveness (Psa. 103:12; 1 John 1:7)
· His advocacy (1 John 2:1)
· His promise of a home in glory (John 14:1-3)
I found this quote from an old sermon by an unknown preacher: "The more we learn about who we are and what we have been given in Jesus, the more we will desire to worship Him. Therefore, we should ever meditate on His grace, His love, His redemption and all His many blessings. As we do, the heart will be moved to glorify and worship Almighty God."
I think the preacher got it right! So today I am going to try to meditate on all the blessings the Lord has given me and keep them close to my heart. I will look for ways to show Him glory and appreciation for all He has given me. In what was will you show appreciation for the Lord today?
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