Mon.’s Devo - Deliverance

Read: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20; Luke 7:36-8:3: Psalm 69:1-18;Proverbs 12:1 God told the Israelites that He would clear away the seven nations of the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. God told them to completely destroy them or they would lead their children away from God to worship other gods. Then the Lord would have to destroy them. *** They were to destroy all their pagan altars and shatter their sacred pillars. God did not choose them because they were so great but because he made a covenant with Abraham, and God keeps his word. If they followed his commandments then He would bless every area of their lives - their health, wealth, families, and nation. *** They were not to be afraid of their enemies no matter how much stronger, more numerous, or their history. God would be with them to prosper them in everything and help them defeat all their enemies. They were to show no mercy but totally destroy them or they would lead them to follow their gods. *** God warned them that when they had defeated their enemies and settled in their land and had all that they needed, not to forget God and stop worshipping him. They must remember all the things he did to get them there. *** What a word to us. We will not always be here in history. We are defeating our enemies as we speak. One day very soon we will be walking in more prosperity and freedom we have ever imagined. It is hard to believe right now because the giants in our land look very big but they are nothing to the Lord. *** In Mark, Jesus had been invited to Simon ’s house. Other gospels tell us that Simon was the one who had been a leper and Jesus healed him. How hypocritical for him to then turn and condemn the prostitute. Simon’s mind had not been renewed. *** Jesus patiently gave Simon a parable to help him see the error of his judgments. The punch line was that the man who was forgiven the most would love the most. The woman who was pouring perfume on Jesus feet and wiping it with her hair was this woman who had been forgiven much. *** Simon, who had been healed but didn’t think he was a sinner had not shown Jesus love close to this. He had not greeted Jesus with a kiss which was customary for a close friend. He hadn’t washed his feet, which was a sign of hospitality. Simon hadn’t done any of these things. *** Jesus forgave her sins and told her to go in peace. Simon’s friends could only judge how Jesus could say this and forgive sins. *** Jesus left and took his disciples and the women who were devoted to Jesus and went on a tour of preaching to the nearby towns and villages. *** Lord, help us to have soft hearts and not judge what we do not understand. May we always remain humble and remember what you have done for us in delivering us from our oppressors.