WALK IN OBEDIENCE

Deuteronomy 5:22-33 / Keywords 5:32-33

So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

 

5:22 These are the commandments the Lord proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.

23 When you heard the voice out of the darkness, while the mountain was ablaze with fire, all the leaders of your tribes and your elders came to me. 24 And you said, “The Lord our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them. 25 But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any longer. 26 For what mortal has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived? 27 Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.”

28 The Lord heard you when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, “I have heard what this people said to you. Everything they said was good. 29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

30 “Go, tell them to return to their tents. 31 But you stay here with me so that I may give you all the commands, decrees and laws you are to teach them to follow in the land I am giving them to possess.”

32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

 

1. God had given Moses two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments on them (22). The Israelites had experienced amazing things on the mountain that day. They saw God’s glory and majesty and heard his voice from the fire (24). While this mountain top experience gave hope for a future with God, it also highlighted their need for a mediator. Moses would teach and help them to obey all God commanded them. This foreshadows our need for Jesus (1Ti 2:5).

2. Verse 29 reveals God’s heart’s desire then and now: God longs for our hearts to be turned toward him, that God may bless us in our generation, and our children and grandchildren in their generation. God’s vision is long reaching, stretching to an eternity in his kingdom.

3. By walking in obedience to all God’s commands, his people would live long and prosper (33). Our hearts are easily led astray so we are unable to walk in obedience. That is why we need Jesus. When we receive his gospel, we receive a new life and a new heart. As we walk in obedience by following Jesus, we grow in his image. We enjoy the blessings of his kingdom now, and a hope of eternity sustains us in our hardships.

Prayer Father, thank you for giving me a new heart through Jesus. Help me to walk in obedience to Jesus every day, in hope of your blessing.

One Word Walk in obedience by following Jesus

 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Deuteronomy 5:1-21 / Keywords 5:6

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

 

5:1 Moses summoned all Israel and said:

Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. 2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3 It was not with our ancestors[a] that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today. 4 The Lord spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. 5 (At that time I stood between the Lord and you to declare to you the word of the Lord, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said:

6 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

7 “You shall have no other gods before[b] me.

8 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

11 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

17 “You shall not murder.

18 “You shall not commit adultery.

19 “You shall not steal.

20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

 

1. God had made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Faithfully, he delivered their descendants from Egypt. But a covenant with God is not only a thing of the past. In every generation, God re-establishes his covenant with his people. Times change, but God’s faithful promises never change. His covenant is to be newly discovered and lived out in each generation.

2. The basis of this covenant is God’s redemptive love, which delivers his people from bondage (6). Jesus frees us from bondage to sin (Jn 8:31-32, 34-36). God gives his Law to his redeemed people. Obedience to the law does not bring redemption. Those who are redeemed and set free are blessed to receive the law. The Ten Commandments are not burdensome but boundaries that teach us how to love God (7-15) and love others (16-21), being blessed and being a blessing.

3. God’s desire is not only the past or the present, but the future: showing love to a thousand generations (10). As we keep God’s covenant, freely living in relationship with him in the boundaries of the Ten Commandments, we enjoy his blessings, and pass them on to the next generation.

Prayer Father, thank you for redeeming me from sin and death through Jesus. Help me see your commands as healthy boundaries that enable me to love you and love others well.

One Word God’s love for a thousand generations

THE COVENANT OF THE LORD YOUR GOD

Deuteronomy 4:15-49 / Keywords 4:23

Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden.

 

4:15 You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, 16 so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, 17 or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, 18 or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. 19 And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. 20 But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are.

21 The Lord was angry with me because of you, and he solemnly swore that I would not cross the Jordan and enter the good land the Lord your God is giving you as your inheritance. 22 I will die in this land; I will not cross the Jordan; but you are about to cross over and take possession of that good land. 23 Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

25 After you have had children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time—if you then become corrupt and make any kind of idol, doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God and arousing his anger, 26 I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed. 27 The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the Lord will drive you. 28 There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. 29 But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. 31 For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.

The Lord Is God

32 Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? 33 Has any other people heard the voice of God[a] speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? 34 Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?

35 You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other. 36 From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. 37 Because he loved your ancestors and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, 38 to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today.

39 Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. 40 Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.

Cities of Refuge

41 Then Moses set aside three cities east of the Jordan, 42 to which anyone who had killed a person could flee if they had unintentionally killed a neighbor without malice aforethought. They could flee into one of these cities and save their life. 43 The cities were these: Bezer in the wilderness plateau, for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

Introduction to the Law

44 This is the law Moses set before the Israelites. 45 These are the stipulations, decrees and laws Moses gave them when they came out of Egypt 46 and were in the valley near Beth Peor east of the Jordan, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon and was defeated by Moses and the Israelites as they came out of Egypt. 47 They took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan. 48 This land extended from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge to Mount Sirion[b] (that is, Hermon), 49 and included all the Arabah east of the Jordan, as far as the Dead Sea,[c] below the slopes of Pisgah.

Footnotes

a. Deuteronomy 4:33 Or of a god

b. Deuteronomy 4:48 Syriac (see also 3:9); Hebrew Siyon

c. Deuteronomy 4:49 Hebrew the Sea of the Arabah

 

1. The first warning concerns idolatry. They should not worship idols because they saw and experienced the living God (11-14). Unlike idolatrous nations, God redeemed Israel (20) and made his covenant with Israel. God is the LORD our God. We are in a relationship with God (23) who, out of love, gets angry and jealous (24) when we cheat on him. Maintaining this love relationship is the key to overcoming idolatry.

2. What should the Israelites do if they forget and fall into sin? God says, “seek the LORD your God… you will find him… (29).” They did not deserve this, but God was merciful and faithful (31). God has proved this mercy and faithfulness to us through the cross of Jesus. Let us seek him with all our heart and soul.

3. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. To avoid idolatry, they must remember what God has specifically done: what they saw, experienced, and so on. God did these things so they may know who God is (35). By reminding ourselves of God’s grace in our lives, we maintain a love relationship with him. Also, by keeping his decrees and commands (40), daily life presents opportunities to press into this love relationship with our covenant God.

Prayer Father, thank you for revealing yourself to me through a new covenant with Jesus. Help me to remember your grace and keep your covenant.

One Word The LORD is God; there is no other

A GREAT NATION BECAUSE OF GOD’S LAW

Deuteronomy 4:1-14 / Keywords 4:7-8

What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

 

4:1 Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.

3 You saw with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal Peor. The Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, 4 but all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today.

5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 10 Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.” 11 You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. 12 Then the Lord spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. 13 He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets. 14 And the Lord directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

1. After summarizing their history in chapters 1-3, Moses calls all Israel to hear God’s law (1), revealing what a great blessing it is. Why were laws a blessing? First, if the Israelites obeyed these laws, God would establish them in the land (1-2). Second, these laws explained the Israelites experiences and history (3-4). Third, obeying these laws taught them how to live in the land, setting an example to be admired by all (5-6). Finally, and most importantly, God would dwell among them and hear and answer their prayers (7). All the laws in Exodus centered around the Tabernacle (God’s dwelling among them). God’s laws gave the Israelites their identity as God’s blessed and great nation (8). And this was God’s law: Remember what God has done for them and honor him.

2. God wants to bless a thousand generations (5:10). Moses was teaching the second generation to teach the third generation. They must not forget all God has done but teach their children so they may learn to revere God as long as they live. This included the covenant and the Ten Commandments. In the same way, we pray for the next generation to know the blessing of God’s law that points to Jesus.

Prayer Father, thank you for your law, which you gave so that we may live with you as your people. Thank you for fulfilling this through Jesus. Help me keep it and teach it to others.

One Word Blessed are those who keep the law

GOD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU

Deuteronomy 3:12-29 / Keywords 3:22

Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.

3:12 Of the land that we took over at that time, I gave the Reubenites and the Gadites the territory north of Aroer by the Arnon Gorge, including half the hill country of Gilead, together with its towns. 13 The rest of Gilead and also all of Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh. (The whole region of Argob in Bashan used to be known as a land of the Rephaites. 14 Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maakathites; it was named after him, so that to this day Bashan is called Havvoth Jair.[a]) 15 And I gave Gilead to Makir. 16 But to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory extending from Gilead down to the Arnon Gorge (the middle of the gorge being the border) and out to the Jabbok River, which is the border of the Ammonites. 17 Its western border was the Jordan in the Arabah, from Kinnereth to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea), below the slopes of Pisgah.

18 I commanded you at that time: “The Lord your God has given you this land to take possession of it. But all your able-bodied men, armed for battle, must cross over ahead of the other Israelites. 19 However, your wives, your children and your livestock (I know you have much livestock) may stay in the towns I have given you, 20 until the Lord gives rest to your fellow Israelites as he has to you, and they too have taken over the land that the Lord your God is giving them across the Jordan. After that, each of you may go back to the possession I have given you.”

21 At that time I commanded Joshua: “You have seen with your own eyes all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. The Lord will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. 22 Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”

23 At that time I pleaded with the Lord: 24 “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? 25 Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.”

26 But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. 27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. 28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” 29 So we stayed in the valley near Beth Peor.

Footnotes

a. Deuteronomy 3:14 Or called the settlements of Jair

 

1. The lands the Israelites conquered began to be distributed to each tribe. The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh already received their share of the land. The promise of God was becoming reality before their very eyes. They were once wandering nomads. They did not have any land to call their own home or nation. When they trusted in God’s promise to them, the promise became a reality. Now that beautiful land of Canaan, which flowed with milk and honey, was theirs. God had blessed them with so much!

2. God still commanded all the Israelite armies to go into battle and help their brothers conquer the land. Since they were blessed with so much from God, God wanted them to continue fighting for their brothers so they may gain the promised land of God as well.

3. Now, the succession of leadership was taking place. Moses was commanding Joshua to continue fighting while trusting God. He said, “Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” God, who has given us victory thus far, is fighting for us. We need not be afraid. In our daily needs and struggles, God promises that he will fight for us.

Prayer Thank you, Lord, for fighting our battles. Instead of being fearful, may we trust in you and continue to win the battle.

One Word God will fight for you!

VICTORY WITH THE HELP OF GOD

Deuteronomy 2:26- 3:11 / Keywords 3:3

So the LORD our God also gave into our hands Og king of Bashan and all his army. We struck them down, leaving no survivors.

2:26 From the Desert of Kedemoth I sent messengers to Sihon king of Heshbon offering peace and saying, 27 “Let us pass through your country. We will stay on the main road; we will not turn aside to the right or to the left. 28 Sell us food to eat and water to drink for their price in silver. Only let us pass through on foot— 29 as the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir, and the Moabites, who live in Ar, did for us—until we cross the Jordan into the land the Lord our God is giving us.” 30 But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the Lord your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate in order to give him into your hands, as he has now done.

31 The Lord said to me, “See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his country over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land.”

32 When Sihon and all his army came out to meet us in battle at Jahaz, 33 the Lord our God delivered him over to us and we struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army. 34 At that time we took all his towns and completely destroyed[a] them—men, women and children. We left no survivors. 35 But the livestock and the plunder from the towns we had captured we carried off for ourselves. 36 From Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge, and from the town in the gorge, even as far as Gilead, not one town was too strong for us. The Lord our God gave us all of them. 37 But in accordance with the command of the Lord our God, you did not encroach on any of the land of the Ammonites, neither the land along the course of the Jabbok nor that around the towns in the hills.

3:1 Next we turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan with his whole army marched out to meet us in battle at Edrei. 2 The Lord said to me, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.”

3 So the Lord our God also gave into our hands Og king of Bashan and all his army. We struck them down, leaving no survivors. 4 At that time we took all his cities. There was not one of the sixty cities that we did not take from them—the whole region of Argob, Og’s kingdom in Bashan. 5 All these cities were fortified with high walls and with gates and bars, and there were also a great many unwalled villages. 6 We completely destroyed[b] them, as we had done with Sihon king of Heshbon, destroying[c] every city—men, women and children. 7 But all the livestock and the plunder from their cities we carried off for ourselves.

8 So at that time we took from these two kings of the Amorites the territory east of the Jordan, from the Arnon Gorge as far as Mount Hermon. 9 (Hermon is called Sirion by the Sidonians; the Amorites call it Senir.) 10 We took all the towns on the plateau, and all Gilead, and all Bashan as far as Salekah and Edrei, towns of Og’s kingdom in Bashan. 11 (Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaites. His bed was decorated with iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide.[d] It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.)

Footnotes

a. Deuteronomy 2:34 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.

b. Deuteronomy 3:6 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.

c. Deuteronomy 3:6 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.

d. Deuteronomy 3:11 That is, about 14 feet long and 6 feet wide or about 4 meters long and 1.8 meters wide

1. Sihon King of Heshbon would not let the Israelites pass by his country easily, but this was because God had determined to deliver the king’s country into the Israelites’ hand.

2. God commanded them, “Now begin to conquer and possess his land.” The Lord God delivered them over to Israelites. There were no survivors; it was a complete victory from God.

3. God also gave Bashan into the Israelites’ hand. When Israelites simply obeyed God, God gave them complete victory. They left no survivors in that land.

4. What God wants from us is simple faith—to trust him and obey him simply. When the Israelites followed God’s command trustingly and obediently, God gave them victory after victory.

Prayer Lord, please help us to simply trust in you and obey you.

One Word Trust and Obey

WANDERINGS IN THE WILDERNESS

Deuteronomy 2:1-25 / Keywords 2:7

The LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.

 

2:1 Then we turned back and set out toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea,[a] as the Lord had directed me. For a long time we made our way around the hill country of Seir.

2 Then the Lord said to me, 3 “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north. 4 Give the people these orders: ‘You are about to pass through the territory of your relatives the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, but be very careful. 5 Do not provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on. I have given Esau the hill country of Seir as his own. 6 You are to pay them in silver for the food you eat and the water you drink.’”

7 The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.

8 So we went on past our relatives the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. We turned from the Arabah road, which comes up from Elath and Ezion Geber, and traveled along the desert road of Moab.

9 Then the Lord said to me, “Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any part of their land. I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.”

10 (The Emites used to live there—a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. 11 Like the Anakites, they too were considered Rephaites, but the Moabites called them Emites. 12 Horites used to live in Seir, but the descendants of Esau drove them out. They destroyed the Horites from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did in the land the Lord gave them as their possession.)

13 And the Lord said, “Now get up and cross the Zered Valley.” So we crossed the valley.

14 Thirty-eight years passed from the time we left Kadesh Barnea until we crossed the Zered Valley. By then, that entire generation of fighting men had perished from the camp, as the Lord had sworn to them. 15 The Lord’s hand was against them until he had completely eliminated them from the camp.

16 Now when the last of these fighting men among the people had died, 17 the Lord said to me, 18 “Today you are to pass by the region of Moab at Ar. 19 When you come to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them to war, for I will not give you possession of any land belonging to the Ammonites. I have given it as a possession to the descendants of Lot.”

20 (That too was considered a land of the Rephaites, who used to live there; but the Ammonites called them Zamzummites. 21 They were a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. The Lord destroyed them from before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place. 22 The Lord had done the same for the descendants of Esau, who lived in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them. They drove them out and have lived in their place to this day. 23 And as for the Avvites who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorites coming out from Caphtor[b] destroyed them and settled in their place.)

24 “Set out now and cross the Arnon Gorge. See, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his country. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle. 25 This very day I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on all the nations under heaven. They will hear reports of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you.”

Footnotes

a. Deuteronomy 2:1 Or the Sea of Reeds

b. Deuteronomy 2:23 That is, Crete

 

1. After forty years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites were now ready. God told them to turn north, which means start advancing into the direction of the promised land. God had reminded them in verse 7 that everything was provided and God protected them for forty years. Through this training to trust God in the desert, they had seen God’s power and his love and his protection. They had not lacked anything.

2. They simply obeyed God’s command and did not start a war with their relatives such as the Edomites, the Moabites, and the Ammonites.

3. Now, God commanded the Israelites to begin to take possession of the land of the Amorites. God promised to put terror and fear of the Israelites into the hearts of all nations under heaven. He was giving the Israelites the same command from forty years ago to take possession of the land of Canaan. God was not just sending them, but he had also prepared everything for them.

4. God loves us and provides for us. When he gives us a mission, he gives us all the necessary help. We only need to go and fight by trusting in God’s deliverance.

Prayer Thank you, Lord, for providing everything we need for our battle.

One Word Simply trust in God’s provision

REBELLION AGAINST GOD

Deuteronomy 1:19-46 / Keywords 1:21

See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

 

1:19 Then, as the Lord our God commanded us, we set out from Horeb and went toward the hill country of the Amorites through all that vast and dreadful wilderness that you have seen, and so we reached Kadesh Barnea. 20 Then I said to you, “You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us. 21 See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

22 Then all of you came to me and said, “Let us send men ahead to spy out the land for us and bring back a report about the route we are to take and the towns we will come to.”

23 The idea seemed good to me; so I selected twelve of you, one man from each tribe. 24 They left and went up into the hill country, and came to the Valley of Eshkol and explored it. 25 Taking with them some of the fruit of the land, they brought it down to us and reported, “It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us.”

26 But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. 27 You grumbled in your tents and said, “The Lord hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. 28 Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt in fear. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.’”

29 Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

32 In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, 33 who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.

34 When the Lord heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore: 35 “No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, 36 except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the Lord wholeheartedly.”

37 Because of you the Lord became angry with me also and said, “You shall not enter it, either. 38 But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it. 39 And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it. 40 But as for you, turn around and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea.[a]”

41 Then you replied, “We have sinned against the Lord. We will go up and fight, as the Lord our God commanded us.” So every one of you put on his weapons, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country.

42 But the Lord said to me, “Tell them, ‘Do not go up and fight, because I will not be with you. You will be defeated by your enemies.’”

43 So I told you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the Lord’s command and in your arrogance you marched up into the hill country. 44 The Amorites who lived in those hills came out against you; they chased you like a swarm of bees and beat you down from Seir all the way to Hormah. 45 You came back and wept before the Lord, but he paid no attention to your weeping and turned a deaf ear to you. 46 And so you stayed in Kadesh many days—all the time you spent there.

Footnotes

a. Deuteronomy 1:40 Or the Sea of Reeds

 

1. When the Israelites arrived at Kadesh Barnea, Moses said to them, “See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, told you.”

2. There was a sure promise from God that the land was already given to them. All they had to do was go up and take possession of the land, trusting God’s promise. They had sent the spies into the land and found that the land was indeed good.

3. But they rebelled against God. They did not trust in God’s word. Rather, they saw people stronger and taller than them. Many fears entered their hearts. They did not remember God who led them thus far with pillars of fire, and pillars of cloud.

4. It is important to remember what God has done in our lives. When we forget God’s grace, we lose faith.

5. Lord, thank you for your amazing grace for us. Most of all, thank you for your grace, giving us eternal life through your son Jesus.

Prayer Help us to remember your grace and continue to fight a good fight daily, trusting in your guidance and power fully.

One Word Remember God’s grace

THE COMMAND TO LEAVE HOREB

Deuteronomy 1:1-18 / Keywords 1:8

See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers--to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob--and to their descendants after them."

 

1:1 These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan—that is, in the Arabah—opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab. 2 (It takes eleven days to go from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by the Mount Seir road.)

3 In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses proclaimed to the Israelites all that the Lord had commanded him concerning them. 4 This was after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon, and at Edrei had defeated Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth.

5 East of the Jordan in the territory of Moab, Moses began to expound this law, saying:

6 The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. 7 Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the mountains, in the western foothills, in the Negev and along the coast, to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great river, the Euphrates. 8 See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.”

9 At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone. 10 The Lord your God has increased your numbers so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. 11 May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised! 12 But how can I bear your problems and your burdens and your disputes all by myself? 13 Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”

14 You answered me, “What you propose to do is good.”

15 So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials. 16 And I charged your judges at that time, “Hear the disputes between your people and judge fairly, whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you. 17 Do not show partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be afraid of anyone, for judgment belongs to God. Bring me any case too hard for you, and I will hear it.” 18 And at that time I told you everything you were to do.

 

1. Moses began to speak to the Israelites arriving at the Arabah as they prepared to enter the land of Canaan. Although it should only take eleven days to travel from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea, it took the Israelites much longer than that because they rebelled against God. As a result, they had to wander in the desert for forty years.

2. While the Israelites were in the desert, God trained them. He wanted to build up their faith in him. God is the God of grace. Although the first generation of people that came out of Egypt lacked the faith to enter Canaan, God nurtured the faith in the second generation. This next generation of Israelites was now ready to enter the land of Canaan.

3. At the gate of Canaan, Moses reiterated God’s word to them from Horeb forty years ago. God did not want the Israelites to stay in the desert and the area of Mount Horeb, remaining in their comfort zone. Now, God wanted them to advance into the land of Canaan by faith. He promised that he already gave them the land.

Prayer Lord, you promise us that you already gave us the victory over our challenges of life. Help us to believe, advance by faith, and experience your victory.

One Word Advance by faith!

I HAVE PUT MY HOPE IN YOUR WORD

Psalm 119:113-136 / Keywords 119:114

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

 

119:113 I hate double-minded people,

    but I love your law.

114 You are my refuge and my shield;

    I have put my hope in your word.

115 Away from me, you evildoers,

    that I may keep the commands of my God!

116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;

    do not let my hopes be dashed.

117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;

    I will always have regard for your decrees.

118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,

    for their delusions come to nothing.

119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;

    therefore I love your statutes.

120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;

    I stand in awe of your laws.

121 I have done what is righteous and just;

    do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;

    do not let the arrogant oppress me.

123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,

    looking for your righteous promise.

124 Deal with your servant according to your love

    and teach me your decrees.

125 I am your servant; give me discernment

    that I may understand your statutes.

126 It is time for you to act, Lord;

    your law is being broken.

127 Because I love your commands

    more than gold, more than pure gold,

128 and because I consider all your precepts right,

    I hate every wrong path.

129 Your statutes are wonderful;

    therefore I obey them.

130 The unfolding of your words gives light;

    it gives understanding to the simple.

131 I open my mouth and pant,

    longing for your commands.

132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,

    as you always do to those who love your name.

133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;

    let no sin rule over me.

134 Redeem me from human oppression,

    that I may obey your precepts.

135 Make your face shine on your servant

    and teach me your decrees.

136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,

    for your law is not obeyed.

 

1. (113-120) God discards wicked evildoers like dross (molten scum). So the psalmist also wanted nothing to do with wicked people. Rather, he loved God’s law. One repeated phrase in this psalm is, “I have put my hope in your word” (43,74,81). He prayed, “Sustain me…Uphold me.” God was his refuge and shield. He stood in awesome fear of God.

2. (121-128) The psalmist cries out for deliverance and salvation from his oppressors. He stands in God’s word and God’s love and expects God to act. He loves God’s commands and hates every wrong path.

3. (129-136) He calls God’s word “wonderful.” So he delights to obey. His prayers are: turn to me and have mercy on me; direct my footsteps; redeem me from oppression; make your face shine on your servant; teach me your decrees. His joy turns to sorrow when he sees God’s law disobeyed.

Prayer Lord, you are our refuge and shield. We have put our hope in your word and your love. Uphold us in the truth of your word and strengthen us to turn from every wrong path. Forgive us when we fail. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word I have put my hope in your word and in your love

YOUR WORD IS A LAMP FOR MY FEET

Psalm 119:89-112 / Keywords 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

 

119:89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;

    it stands firm in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;

    you established the earth, and it endures.

91 Your laws endure to this day,

    for all things serve you.

92 If your law had not been my delight,

    I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your precepts,

    for by them you have preserved my life.

94 Save me, for I am yours;

    I have sought out your precepts.

95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,

    but I will ponder your statutes.

96 To all perfection I see a limit,

    but your commands are boundless.

97 Oh, how I love your law!

    I meditate on it all day long.

98 Your commands are always with me

    and make me wiser than my enemies.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers,

    for I meditate on your statutes.

100 I have more understanding than the elders,

    for I obey your precepts.

101 I have kept my feet from every evil path

    so that I might obey your word.

102 I have not departed from your laws,

    for you yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,

    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 I gain understanding from your precepts;

    therefore I hate every wrong path.

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,

    a light on my path.

106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it,

    that I will follow your righteous laws.

107 I have suffered much;

    preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.

108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,

    and teach me your laws.

109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,

    I will not forget your law.

110 The wicked have set a snare for me,

    but I have not strayed from your precepts.

111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;

    they are the joy of my heart.

112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees

    to the very end.[d]

Footnotes

d. Psalm 119:112 Or decrees / for their enduring reward

 

1. (89-96) God’s word is eternal, his faithfulness continues, and his laws endure. All things serve him. The psalmist testified that God’s word preserved his life. The wicked sought to destroy him, so he prayed, “Save me, for I am yours.” Our lives are limited, but God’s word is boundless.

2. (97-104) Wisdom is to choose what is good and to reject what is evil. By loving and delighting in God’s word, the psalmist received wisdom, insight, and understanding to defeat his enemies and to rival his teachers. God’s word tasted sweeter than honey and enabled him to hate every wrong and evil path.

3. (105-112) God’s word is a lamp for our feet, a light on our path. The psalmist promised to follow God’s word. He suffered much to keep his faith. He prayed: preserve my life, accept my praise, teach me your ways. God’s statutes were his heart’s joy. His heart was set on keeping God’s decrees to the end.

Prayer Lord, thank you for your eternal word which is our wisdom, life, and light. In this confusing world of many paths, help us to love you, delight in your word, and hate and reject every evil path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word God’s word is our wisdom and light

GOD IS GOOD AND WHAT HE DOES IS GOOD

Psalm 119:65-88 / Keywords 119:68

You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.

 

119:65 Do good to your servant

    according to your word, Lord.

66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,

    for I trust your commands.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,

    but now I obey your word.

68 You are good, and what you do is good;

    teach me your decrees.

69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,

    I keep your precepts with all my heart.

70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,

    but I delight in your law.

71 It was good for me to be afflicted

    so that I might learn your decrees.

72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me

    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

73 Your hands made me and formed me;

    give me understanding to learn your commands.

74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,

    for I have put my hope in your word.

75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,

    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,

    according to your promise to your servant.

77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,

    for your law is my delight.

78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;

    but I will meditate on your precepts.

79 May those who fear you turn to me,

    those who understand your statutes.

80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,

    that I may not be put to shame.

81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,

    but I have put my hope in your word.

82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;

    I say, “When will you comfort me?”

83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,

    I do not forget your decrees.

84 How long must your servant wait?

    When will you punish my persecutors?

85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me,

    contrary to your law.

86 All your commands are trustworthy;

    help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.

87 They almost wiped me from the earth,

    but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88 In your unfailing love preserve my life,

    that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

1. (65-72) God is good and what he does is good. Sometimes when we stray, we are afflicted in order to learn that obeying God’s way is best. We can pray that God may teach us knowledge and good judgment. Arrogant people are hardhearted. To lovers of God, his word is more precious than gold.

2. (73-80) God made us, and he gives understanding. The psalmist prays that those who fear God may rejoice and turn to God through him. God is faithful and his laws are righteous. May God’s unfailing love and compassion be our comfort. May the arrogant be put to shame for doing wrong.

3. (81-88) The psalmist prays earnestly for deliverance and vindication from persecution. “When will you comfort me? How long must your servant wait? Help me! In your unfailing love preserve my life.” He felt like a dried-up wineskin, but he was confident of God’s promise of salvation.

Prayer Lord, you are good and faithful, and your promises are trustworthy. Teach me good judgment and the right fear of God. May I delight in your word and seek your favor more than riches. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word God is good, and his word is trustworthy

THE UNFAILING LOVE OF THE LORD

Psalm 119:41-64 / Keywords 119:41

May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise;

 

119:41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,

    your salvation, according to your promise;

42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,

    for I trust in your word.

43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,

    for I have put my hope in your laws.

44 I will always obey your law,

    for ever and ever.

45 I will walk about in freedom,

    for I have sought out your precepts.

46 I will speak of your statutes before kings

    and will not be put to shame,

47 for I delight in your commands

    because I love them.

48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,

    that I may meditate on your decrees.

49 Remember your word to your servant,

    for you have given me hope.

50 My comfort in my suffering is this:

    Your promise preserves my life.

51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,

    but I do not turn from your law.

52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,

    and I find comfort in them.

53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,

    who have forsaken your law.

54 Your decrees are the theme of my song

    wherever I lodge.

55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name,

    that I may keep your law.

56 This has been my practice:

    I obey your precepts.

57 You are my portion, Lord;

    I have promised to obey your words.

58 I have sought your face with all my heart;

    be gracious to me according to your promise.

59 I have considered my ways

    and have turned my steps to your statutes.

60 I will hasten and not delay

    to obey your commands.

61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,

    I will not forget your law.

62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks

    for your righteous laws.

63 I am a friend to all who fear you,

    to all who follow your precepts.

64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;

    teach me your decrees.

 

1. (41-48) The psalmist prays for God’s unfailing, steadfast love and salvation to come to him. His trust, hope, love, delight, search, speech, and meditation are in God and his word. May we all have such a holy longing and devotion!

2. (49-56) The psalmist finds comfort and hope through God’s word of promise amidst sufferings from arrogant people. He is indignant when God’s word is ignored. He prays God may remember his promises as he remembers God’s name and word.

3. (57-64) These verses are among those that use all 8 Hebrew words for God’s word. Can you find them? (Hint: “your” precedes them all) The earth is filled with the LORD’s covenant love. From his heart and with his feet the psalmist seeks God and even rises at night to thank God. He was a friend to all who fear God.

Prayer Lord, your love is unfailing. Your word is true and faithful. Incline my heart to seek and worship you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word The LORD’s love and promises bring salvation

TURN MY EYES FROM WORTHLESS THINGS

Psalm 119:17-40 / Keywords 119:37

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

 

119:17 Be good to your servant while I live,

    that I may obey your word.

18 Open my eyes that I may see

    wonderful things in your law.

19 I am a stranger on earth;

    do not hide your commands from me.

20 My soul is consumed with longing

    for your laws at all times.

21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,

    those who stray from your commands.

22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt,

    for I keep your statutes.

23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,

    your servant will meditate on your decrees.

24 Your statutes are my delight;

    they are my counselors.

25 I am laid low in the dust;

    preserve my life according to your word.

26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;

    teach me your decrees.

27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,

    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

28 My soul is weary with sorrow;

    strengthen me according to your word.

29 Keep me from deceitful ways;

    be gracious to me and teach me your law.

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

    I have set my heart on your laws.

31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;

    do not let me be put to shame.

32 I run in the path of your commands,

    for you have broadened my understanding.

33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,

    that I may follow it to the end.[b]

34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law

    and obey it with all my heart.

35 Direct me in the path of your commands,

    for there I find delight.

36 Turn my heart toward your statutes

    and not toward selfish gain.

37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

    preserve my life according to your word.[c]

38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,

    so that you may be feared.

39 Take away the disgrace I dread,

    for your laws are good.

40 How I long for your precepts!

    In your righteousness preserve my life.

Footnotes

b. Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward

c. Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way

 

1. (17-24) It is good to live to love and obey God. Pray that your eyes may be opened to wonderful things of God. The psalmist felt like a stranger on earth due to his love for God and God’s word. He was slandered by arrogant, disobedient people, but God’s word was his delight and counsel.

2. (25-32) The psalmist sounds oppressed or depressed, laid low in the dust and sorrowful. He prays for understanding and to not follow deceitful ways. God’s word will preserve and strengthen his life. He chooses faithfulness. He holds fast to God. He runs in the path of faith with God’s help.

3. (33-40) He pleads with the LORD: “Teach me… give me understanding… direct me…turn my heart and eyes away from selfish gain and worthless things… fulfill your promise…take away disgrace.” Twice he says, “preserve my life.” He is praying earnestly in all this for guidance, wisdom, and strength. He knows he is in a spiritual battle against unbelievers and temptations.

Prayer Lord, turn my heart and eyes away from selfish gain and worthless things, and let me run in the path of your commands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word Turn my heart and eyes from worthless things; open my eyes to God’s wonders

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO…

Psalm 119:1-16 / Keywords 119:2

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

 

119:1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,

    who walk according to the law of the Lord.

2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes

    and seek him with all their heart—

3 they do no wrong

    but follow his ways.

4 You have laid down precepts

    that are to be fully obeyed.

5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast

    in obeying your decrees!

6 Then I would not be put to shame

    when I consider all your commands.

7 I will praise you with an upright heart

    as I learn your righteous laws.

8 I will obey your decrees;

    do not utterly forsake me.

9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity?

    By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart;

    do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart

    that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, Lord;

    teach me your decrees.

13 With my lips I recount

    all the laws that come from your mouth.

14 I rejoice in following your statutes

    as one rejoices in great riches.

15 I meditate on your precepts

    and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees;

    I will not neglect your word.

Footnotes

a. Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

1. (1-8) Psalm 119 begins, like Psalm 1, speaking of who is blessed. They are blameless and walk according to the LORD’s law. They keep his statutes (what God testifies is his will) and seek him with all their heart. They avoid doing wrong, but rather follow God’s ways. The LORD has laid down precepts (covenant regulations) to be fully obeyed. See the psalmist’s prayer (5)! He wants to live unashamed, praising and obeying God with an upright heart.

2. (9-16) How can anyone live a pure life in this chaotic, sin sick world? By living according to God’s word. Seek God with all your heart (2,10). Hide his word in your heart. Praise God. Learn his decrees. Recite God’s word. Rejoice in pursuing truth as great riches. Meditate on, delight in, and don’t neglect God’s word. Those who do these things are indeed blessed.

Prayer Father, thank you for your holy word. May I seek you with all my heart, and may I rejoice and delight in your life-giving words, as if I won a lottery. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

One Word Seek God wholeheartedly; delight in his precious word