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"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 - Day 58 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Numbers 18-20; Mark 7:1-13)
IT’S ALL ABOUT...
...The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” And Moses took the staff from before the Lord, as he commanded him. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” (Numbers 20:7-12 ESV)
“Instead of letting the Word of the Lord reveal its power (v.8), Moses sought to make his contribution to the miracle by striking the rock twice. Thereby he failed to sanctify God before the eyes of the people. The Lord was forgiving toward Moses, but Moses’ actions had consequences. Moses could not exalt himself before God.” (Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 247)
For Moses, it was all about Moses. “Shall we bring water for you out of this rock?...struck the rock...twice”
Sadly, Moses’ problem is also our problem. We, too, think it is all about us. Putting ourselves first is exactly what all sin is about. However, the First Commandment is still in force.
“You shall have no other gods.
What does this mean? We should fear, love and trust in God above all things.
When do people have other gods? When they fear, love or trust in any person or thing as they should fear, love and trust in God alone.” (Luther’‘s Small Catechism, CPH, 1986)
Thank the Lord He has good news for sinners like you and me.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (John 1:9 ESV)
Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the many times I have put myself ahead of You. Continually remind me of all that Your Son has done to make me Your child. May I respond to Your gift of forgiveness by keeping You first in my life. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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