Wed.’s Devo - Don’t Forget

Read: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20; Luke 7:36-8:3; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 12:1 God warned them that the nations they were to displace were greater and mightier than them. But God would deliver them before their eyes and they were to utterly destroy them and make no covenants of peace with them or show them any mercy. They were not to intermarry with them because they would turn them away from following the Lord. That is why he was telling them to destroy their altars, cut down their groves and burn their graven images in the fire. *** The Israelites were a chosen people set apart for God to live holy lives. He didn’t choose them because there were many of them, because there were only a few. God chose them because he loved them and he promised Moses he would bring them out of bondage and into the land he was giving them. *** God would keep his promise to bring them into the land and bless them and multiply them. He would bless their crops and their flocks. Their women and their cattle would not be barren. He would take away all sickness from them and put none of the evil diseases of Egypt on them. *** When they stressed over how big their enemy is, they were to remember what God did for them in Egypt. He would do the same for them now. He would send hornets among them until their enemy leaves or are destroyed. He would drive them out little by little so that the beasts of the field wouldn’t take over the land before they could occupy it. *** They were not to leave a token left of their idol worship, but they were to detest their evil practices. *** They were not to forget all they went through in the wilderness to humble them and to prove to themselves whether they would be faithful to the Lord or not. They had to learn that God’s bread is enough to sustain them. *** When they got into the land they would eat of the land and not lack any good food. They must remember the Lord when they are blessed and have more than enough. It would be counted to them as righteous if they obeyed God’s commandments. *** In Luke, how appropriate for Jesus to be anointed for burial in the home of a Pharisee. The woman brought in her alabaster box and began washing his feet with her tears and wiping it with her hair. She kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. The Pharisee whose house he was at saw it and questioned Jesus’ authority in his mind. He knew this woman was a prostitute and if Jesus was a prophet, he should know this too. Jesus did and told the man a story of a person who had to men who owed him money. One owed him 500 pence and the other 50. He forgave them both. Then Jesus asked him which of the men loved the creditor the most. The Pharisee said, “the one who he forgave the most.” Jesus commended his answer and said it was the same for her. She had been forgiven much so she loved him the most. *** Jesus’ ministry was financed by the women who loved and followed Jesus. There was Mary Magdalene who Jesus cast out seven demons, Joanna the wife of China who was Herod’s steward and Susanna. All of these women gave so that Jesus could travel and preach the gospel. *** Lord, may we remember all you have forgiven us of and be grateful. May we remember all the storms you have brought us through and not fear the ones in our future. We know that you are the only God and there is no one like you. Thank you that you love us and are bringing us to a better place.