- Of all that are in the waters you may eat these: whatever has fins and scales you may eat. And whatever does not have fins and scales you shall not eat; it is unclean for you. Deuteronomy 14:10 – While verses 9 and 10 were selected above, truly verses 1-21 work for this devotion. We see Moses giving a summarized version of the dietary laws that the Lord laid out for them earlier in their journey. Whether it’s in these verses or we jump back to Leviticus for the fuller versions, something that is easy to see is that God wasn’t fuzzy on his commands. God was clear on what to eat and not eat, what things were allowed and what weren’t. He gave broad descriptions then gave focused examples of what He wanted. Israel wouldn’t be able to use the excuse that God didn’t make things clear enough for them and that’s why they fell into sin. In our walk with God, He too hasn’t made things fuzzy for us either. Forgive them, love one another, be reconciled, go be witnesses. When God then is clear on commands, don’t treat them as unclear. If God commanded we love those who curse us, then don’t pretend you don’t know exactly what God wants you to do with the person who is mean to you. Certainly there are passages within scripture that aren’t exactly clear and we have to be prayerful about what God is wanting us to do with such passages, but when passages don’t fall into that category don’t treat them as such. You can pray for a week straight, fasting the whole time, over how you should treat your enemy, but likely the answer you’ll get is the same one Jesus already gave you in scripture…love them. If God is clear on a command, don’t treat it as fuzzy to get out of having to follow it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3453
- And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the Lord your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the Lord your God chooses, to set his name there, then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the Lord your God chooses and spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household. Deuteronomy 14:24-26 – This passage crushes the idea that our offerings to God are meant to be something that causing us to be without and be lacking. We see here God isn’t wanting our stuff, He’s wanting communion with us! Here they were told to buy whatever they wanted to eat or drink with their offerings, come then to the Lord, and joyfully eat in His presence with their family. God was wanting time with His people and was showing them how to do that. God’s inviting us into time with Him as well. Not so we find ourselves lacking or without, but so can be filled and have communion with Him. Find time then today to spend with Him in prayer and in His Word. Rather than finding yourself lacking as a result of giving Him that time, you’ll find yourself filled if you come to Him as He says to. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1309
- Deuteronomy 14 – Pastor Mac Daily DEVO At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. Deuteronomy 14:28 – As I read this chapter, and saw the true heart behind God’s command of the tithe, it truly challenges the way so often we handle giving at our churches. Often giving is looked at as something burdensome, something that is like a tax we have to pay to a government. Yet notice how God handles the tithe here. First, the tithe of things like grain, wine, and oil were to be taken to the temple and given to God there. It though wasn’t just given at the temple and left, but the givers of the tithe were able to eat and enjoy the offerings they were giving. Every three years instead of taking it to the temple to eat, they would gather up everyone’s offering in their towns and have a grand feast together that allowed the poor and those without to enjoy God’s blessing too. Giving to the Lord was a celebration for them where they were able to enjoy great food and great fellowship with each other before their God. How does this image of giving compare to the one you have about giving to the Lord? It’s too common to have a heart of giving that is grieved to let go of what is “ours.” God’s desire is that we see our giving for what it is, a way to celebrate what God has given us with Him and a way to be a blessing to those around us. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2439
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