Prayer
HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness (Psalm 119:33-40).
Today’s Hymn
Words: Gerhard Tersteegen, Geistliches Blumeng¨atea;rtlein, 1729 (Gott ist gegenw¨ate;rtig); translated from German to English by Frederick W. Foster and John Miller in the Moravian Hymn-book (London: 1789), alt.
GOD HIMSELF IS WITH US
Click here for tune.
God Himself is with us: Let us now adore Him,
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple, all within keep silence,
Prostrate lie with deepest reverence.
Him alone God we own, Him our God and Savior;
Praise His Name forever.
God Himself is with us: Hear the harps resounding!
See the crowds the throne surrounding!
“Holy, holy, holy,” hear the hymn ascending,
Angels, saints, their voices blending!
Bow Thine ear to us here: Hear, O Christ, the praises
That Thy church now raises.
O Thou fount of blessing, purify my spirit;
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Like the holy angels who behold Thy glory,
May I ceaselessly adore Thee,
And in all, great and small, seek to do most nearly
What Thou lovest dearly.
Thought Provoker
When we read about the laws, feasts, and commands to Israel, it could cause us to wonder, “What does this have to do with us today?” These were commands given to the nation Israel, which was a theocracy. What is a theocracy? Should the laws of a theocracy be applied today, in your country? Are these things instructional to us in modern times? All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Tim. 3:16).
Dad’s Study
In verses 1-13 we have specific instructions to the nation Israel regarding how they were to specifically apply the moral law given in the Ten Commandments to various social circumstances. In verses 1-3 God applies the 9th commandment not to bear false witness. What are some ways you are not to bear false witness? By giving a false report, joining with the wicked maliciously, going along with the crowd in wrong doing, or showing partiality. In verses 4-6 God applies the 5th-10th Commandments, which our Lord summed up as loving thy neighbor as thyself. Read together verses 4-6 and discuss ways you can love your neighbor as yourself. How would these practically carry over to today? Share together some specific examples. In verses 10-13 God applies the 4th commandment regarding the Sabbath day rest. How are the principles of the 4th commandment related to farming?
Verses 14-19 reveal 3 elements of the worship of the church today as seen in their shadow form in the Old Testament. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is a type of our Lord’s Supper that He instituted at the last Passover. The Feast of the Harvest is representative of our tithe of the first fruits of our labor, and the Feast of the Ingathering is representative of our worship of thanksgiving. The nation Israel observed these forms of worship annually and every male was required to attend. We are to worship our Lord continually as we have opportunity.
Verses 20-33 are commands given to Israel regarding their duty to conquer the land. Now we have not been called on to conquer territory, but these instructions still carry some beneficial principles for us today. We have been sent forth with a great commission and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who has conquered sin and death. What principles here can be helpful to us today?
1. Christ goes before us, verse 20
“…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matt. 28:20). Christ goes before us in fulfilling the call to take forth the gospel just as He went before the nation Israel when they ventured into the “world” of Canaan to conquer the land.
2. Obey His voice, verse 21-23.
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him (John 14:23). Our obedience is an outward manifestation of our love for the Lord.
3. Do not worship other gods, but serve the Lord your God, verses 24-25.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment (Mark 12:30). If we worship and serve the Lord our God with all that we are and have we will love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
4. Don’t compromise with the world or allow the ways of the world into our “land” (life), verses 32- 33.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world (John 17:15-16).
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Truth in Practice
Do not allow worldly ways to creep into your thoughts, life, families, or the body of Christ. We are the called out ones who are not to be of the world.
Catechism
Question 72
Q. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A. The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, an effectual means of convicting and converting sinners (Ps. 19:7), and of building them up in holiness and comfort (1 Th. 1:6), through faith to salvation (Ro. 1:16).
