Psalm 86 Mark 8 Deuteronomy 4-6
In today’s song by David, he celebrates
that even though he recognized his need for forgiveness because of his sin and
the sin of others there is so much to praise God for. Even in those days when
the enemies surround him, he can reflect with joy on the days of experiencing
the blessings of God.
We find him praising God because
there is no other worthy of the God in who he finds the fullness of life.
Lifting our soul to God for fulfillment leads to knowing the joy of salvation
found in the creator of all there is. One day, every nation will come and
worship the Lord for they will know that there is only one God, the creator of
the heavens and the earth.
He asks the Lord to continue to
teach him God’s ways so he can walk in the truth of God and give God the glory
forever. From experience he is thankful that God is slow to anger and has an
abundance of forgiveness and truth. David of all people knew the ups and down
of life, sin and forgiveness, the blessings of scarcity and abundance. He asks
God to continue to show him a sign of good that those that reject God’s ways
will be ashamed and in that he will find help and comfort.
In Mark 8 we find Jesus in the
midst of large crowds teaching his disciples about meeting the needs of the
masses so that there are lessons to be taught to the disciples. One of those
lessons is knowing when to apply the lesson and when to realize that there is
something else to be learned from interacting with Jesus. Jesus was laying
groundwork for the days and years to come when he challenged them to make sure they
were looking at the right thing before making judgement.
There is a big difference in who most
people think Jesus is and who he wanted his disciples to understand him too really
be. He wanted them to understand who he really was so they would be able to
hold on and understand that when their world was turned upside down by broken
expectation. The time was not right for public proclamations of who Jesus was
as he continued to prepare them for a time when they were not walking together.
The story of any true disciple maker.
When Jesus purpose is stated clearly
it will often be rejected by the most devoted because it does not fit into
their vision for what the future should look like. He was preparing them for
his rejection and his failure to meet their expectations, along with all of Israel,
in what it would mean to claim his Kingdom. He is asking them to choose what
will impact their soul for eternity rather than the temporary pleasure of the
earthly body. What we experience beyond death is defined by are willingness to
submit to the ways of God and trust where God leads us even when we see no
future in it.
The reading today in Deuteronomy follows
the reminder by Moses of the journey that the people have been on since they
left Egypt and the cost of disobedience. Then Moses tells the people he is
about to outline the commandments they are to live under when they cross the
Jordan river into the promised land. They will be given the land they were promised
but failing to live the commandments and the direction of the Lord will result
in not only defeat but being scattered around the world so they will no longer
be a people.
Moses then outlines the ten basic
commandments that God is giving them so that all will go well with them in the
promised last that is before them. All the people heard what those commandments
were and agreed to follow them. They are then to pass them down to future generations
not just in the words they speak but in they way they live following those
commandments.
Moses makes sure they know that
there is only one God and their responsibility is to love the Lord God with all
their heart, soul and might. They are simply called to live for God. He also
warns them that if they fail to follow him, they will lose all that they have
been promised and more. God will wipe them off the face of the earth if they
are disobedient. These commandments, laws and directions are given to them so
that they can live a full, long happy life. Those that keep the ways of God
will understand they have done so for their own and their family and friends’
lives.
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