Thursday April 26 2012

Read Deuteronomy 14:1-2

 

What made Israel special was not her size or her righteousness or her abilities as a nation. What made Israel special in the Old Testament was her God!

 

Israel was more loved by God than a daughter is loved by her devoted father. Israel was the apple of God’s eye, his treasured possession. God had chosen Israel as the recipient of His love, for no other reason than He is a God of love. That alone made Israel special.

 

Now of course, that such love comes with responsibility. The people of the nations would express their hopelessness in mourning for the dead by slashing themselves with swords, knives and even their own finger nails. A people chosen by the God of hope, could not show hopelessness, even in grieving. Neither could they shave the front of their heads as other nations did.

 

All the commands and ceremonies given to Israel flow out of the fact that she was loved by God and chosen by her. She was the nation that God chose to be in special relationship with.

 

As Christians we need to remember that what makes people special is God’s love. All people are special because all humans are made in God’s image, and hence are recipients of His love.  Every single being, whether born or unborn, young or old, able or disabled, is special because of God.  And we also need to remember that God has chosen us believers. He has revealed Himself to us and given us His immense and free grace. We have not earned it. We have not even deserved it. We are given God’s grace and mercy because He is a God of love. Like Israel, that choosing leads to a particular lifestyle.

 

Prayer:

¥ Pray for the work of PIM (Presbyterian Inland Mission). These padres spend much time on the road alone, travelling from one station to another or one town to another. Pray that God would encourage them and protect them on their travels. Pray for a welcoming reception at the stations and towns and that there will be many opportunities to speak of Christ and to build relationships.

¥ Pray that God would bring blessing and growth to the church in Myanmar. Pray that believers would be willing to share their faith and bring others to the Lord. Pray for receptive hearts and for God to add daily to those who are being saved.