- They did not destroy the peoples, as the Lord commanded them, but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. Psalm 106:34-36 – A way that we see Israel rebel repeatedly in the Old Testament is within their relationship with their neighboring nations and the nations that inhabited the Promised Land prior to their arrival. God made it clear that His people were not to “mix” with these other nations. Meaning not to have Israel’s children marry these other nation’s children. Why? Because God knew the influence of these other nations would be a trap that would lead Israel into idolatry and away from Him. This message God gave Israel can seem so counter to the message we are to follow from the New Testament. To love our neighbor, to draw close to them to share His good news. First we must understand that we aren’t the nation of Israel from the Old Testament, so their commands will be different than the commands we get as the church today. God’s heart though hasn’t changed. While we certainly are to draw close to people to share His good news, God will still direct us individually to step back from certain individuals and groups. He knows the influence they can have on us and how it will draw us away from Him, just like with Isreal of old. Israel failed to follow God’s lead on this, how about you? When God tells you that a relationship needs to end, will you step away from it? When God says this workplace isn’t healthy for you for the coworkers are dragging you away from Him, will you leave that job? The compromise Israel made is one we too can make today. We can choose to mix with those that God says to step away from. Have a heart that is willing to go to all people with the Gospel, but if the Lord directs you in specific ways to not mix with certain people, be willing to follow. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3520
- Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm106:1 – Yes, amen, praise the Lord and give thanks to Him, because He sure doesn’t have to be so good to us and keep showing us His love. It just floors me that God keeps on showing His love to a people like us. As we read in this psalm over and over and over the people turned away from Him. And it wasn’t due to a lack of God’s love or provision, it was just a choice on their part to forget what God had done and to walk a new path. Yet He kept forgiving and kept allowing them to come back and kept moving forward with them. He didn’t have to, but He chose to because He wanted them. He also doesn’t have to keep forgiving us, but He keeps choosing to and choosing us. That’s why today we should praise the Lord. Not just because it’s the Christiany thing to do, it’s because we have a universe-creating God who has every right to let us wallow in the punishment of our mistakes but instead chose to sacrifice everything for us so we could have an opportunity to choose Him. Thank you Lord and all praise to you today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1334
- They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God, their Savior, who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. Psalm 106:19-22 – The psalmist retells the journey of the people of God when they were rescued from Egypt and journeyed to the promise land. One would think that after seeing the miraculous acts done by God and having freedom actually found by them from Egypt that they would be captivated by the Lord forever. Instead they chose the work of their hands to worship rather than the Lord who rescued them. My hope and prayer is that this isn’t what’s said of me, my church family, or the generation of the Church today. I would hope that’s your prayer too. That’s what said of us is we has seen God move in mighty ways and have chosen to remain steadfast in following Him. Maybe we haven’t seen a sea part in front of us, but we have seen Him do some great things in our life. Choose then today to let God be what captivates you. Let Him be what your life is about and what you worship. For He has done great things and deserves our forever praise. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2237
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