Reading for today
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 4, 5, 6
New Testament: Luke 9
Thoughts from today’s reading
Deuteronomy 6:20-25. The power that is available in God’s commands is released by us keeping all of it. This produces righteousness which allows us to receive from God. The children of Israel and all men in general were unable to keep all of the laws, that is why there were so many sacrifices to atone for the sins that came about by breaking the law.
Christ when He came, successfully kept all of God’s commands and hence attained to the righteousness that God always intended for man. When we accept Him and live in Him, we truly can enjoy every blessing of God that is a result of keeping His commands.
Luke 9:51-56. The Samaritans refused for Jesus to enter their village because He was on His way to Jerusalem. The history of the Samaritans and Jews at this time was one of conflict and they did not want to have anything to do one with the other.
Jesus however showed that we should love our enemies and pray for those who treat us wrongly. He rebuked James and John for their intent to revenge and destroy the village of the samaritans.
Prayer
1. Heavenly Father, I thank you that I have been crucified with Christ and I live His life as He took my place in death to set me free from eternal damnation. I thank you for the righteousness I have through Christ which gives me legitimacy to enjoy every blessing that you revealed in your word. I declare that I am blessed and my life is a praise in all the earth.
2. Lord I pray for everyone who has wronged me or harbours thoughts to harm me. You said we should pray for our enemies, so Lord I ask that you show mercy to them, preserve them, cause them to see the error of their ways and turn to you that you may save them.