Sat.’s Devo -The Land of Wealth

Read: Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25; Luke 7:11-35; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 11:29-31 There were seven nations in the land God was giving them and they were to completely destroy them. If they didn’t destroy them these nations would eventually lead them away from Him. They represented demonic powers that would defile them and infiltrate their hearts. They were to get rid of all of their worship paraphernalia so that they would’t be tempted to serve their gods. God didn’t chose the children of Israel because they were the greatest number but because they were the smallest. He chose them because he loved them and he had promised Abraham that he would be his Father and a father to his descendants. God keeps his promises to a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. God reminded them of what he had done to the Egyptians in order to set them free. He would use that same power against their enemies in the land. He would throw them into confusion until they were destroyed. Their kings would be given to them and they would erase their name from the earth. The kings represent principalities that fight against our spirits. God will do that same thing for us if we just keep walking and obeying the Lord. All of their idols that were covered with gold were not to be coveted because it was defiled and would defile them. They were to burn them in the fire. God emphasized how important it was for them to obey all of his commands. He reminded them of how He matured them in the wilderness. He tried them to produce His character in them. He wanted them to learn that it wasn’t enough to have food to eat but they had to also feed their soul and spirit with what God said and wrote. God was bringing them to the land of abundance in every way. It was a land full of beautiful mountains, flowing springs, plenty of food and precious metals. It lacked nothing. All he asked was for them to praise him and to not forget what He had done for them or his laws. They were to remember that it was the Lord who gave them the power to be successful in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to their ancestors. But, if they forgot the Lord, they would be destroyed just like the other nations who didn’t worship the Lord. In Luke, Jesus taught the Pharisees a lesson about salvation. They criticized Jesus for letting an immoral woman pour incense on his feet, kiss them and wipe her tears off with her hair. Jesus explained that the greater the forgiveness, the greater the love. She had come in humility and gratefulness. The Pharisees looked at Jesus with contempt and judgement. Jesus forgave the woman’s sins; notice, he didn’t forgive the Pharisees’ sin. Their sin was self-righteousness but they didn’t realize they had it, so they couldn’t repent. Lord, help us to see our own sins and repent. Thank you that the land you have for us is plentiful and full of good things. Mature us to take the land and enjoy its fruits without it destroying us.