THE LORD SPOKE (March 22)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Deuteronomy 27-28

In the synagogue, this portion is read in a chanting undertone and people are reluctant to be called up for the reading. Deuteronomy 28 contains some of the most frightening promises of Scripture for those who turn away from the Lord. When King Josiah read this passage (II Ki. 22:11, 19) he tore his robes.

To begin, GOD’S WRATH IS PROMISED FOR DISOBEDIENCE. Israel could be cursed by:

• destruction (vs. 20)
• disease (vs. 21)
• drought (vs. 23)
• defeat (vs. 25)
• dysfunction (vs. 28)
• disappointment (vs. 30)
• diaspora (vs. 37)
• decline in status (vs. 43)

GOD’S PROMISES ARE ETERNAL. This is true for the curses, but it is also true for the blessings. Spurgeon tells the story of being out on a yacht on the Clyde River with a threatening storm approaching. Suddenly, a huge rock known as “The Cock of Arran”, loomed dangerously near. Rather than sail recklessly on, the captain anchored in its shelter and found safety from the violent storm. This chapter is much the same - it appears a threatening, harsh sector. But it also holds the promise of safety from danger.

That’s because GOD’S DESIRE IS FOR OUR BLESSING. Just as the New Testament tells us, “He is not willing that any should perish...” (II Pet. 3:9). For Israel it was necessary to:
• return to the Land (vs. 8, 11, 21, 63)
• return to the LORD (the divine tetra-grammaton appears 37x in this chapter)
• return to the Law (vs. 58, see also 27:26)

Verse 58 is the hinge point in this chapter: If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name - the LORD your God - the LORD will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disaster, and severe and lingering illnesses.


New Testament: John 13

It’s the distinguishing mark of the Christian. According to Jesus, the characteristic quality which defines His followers is love for one another. A watching world will see the Lord by the love demonstrated by His disciples (Jn. 13:34-35).

Is that true? If so, why does our actual experience often look more like the ditty in our kids’ storybook?

There once were two cats of Killkenny.
They each thought there was one cat too many.
So they fought and they fit; they scratched and they bit,
Until... instead of two cats, there weren’t any.

Why are conflicts so common among us? Why is love frequently not a defining characteristic among us? Why is the evidence lacking?

John, over the years, must have gotten many of the same questions. Years later, in his first epistle, he revisits the theme in greater detail. First of all, he reminds us that it is a command (I Jn. 2:23). Jesus had said, “A new command I give to you: love one another.” (Jn. 13:34). That places it on the level of obey/disobey. It’s not “I feel like it”/ “I don’t feel like it”. It’s not “today, sure”/”tomorrow, forget it”. It must be understood as an order from our Commander in Chief. John follows it up with, “this is how we know that He lives in us” (I Jn. 2:24). In I John 4 he adds:

• vs. 7 - “love comes from God” and “everyone who loves has been born of God”
• vs. 8 - “whoever does not love does not know God”
• vs. 11 - “since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another”
• vs. 12 - “if we love one another, God lives in us”
• vs. 19 - “we love because He first loved us”
• vs. 20 - “anyone who does not love his brother...cannot love God”
• vs. 21 - “whoever loves God must also love his brother”

So there you have it. Like a garden, you must cultivate it. Like a valuable painting, you must display it. Like a fine instrument, you must tune it. Like a rare treasure, you must guard it. Like a little child, you must nurture it. Like a present, you must offer it to God.