Day 82

Numbers 36:1 —Deuteronomy 1:46; Luke 5:29–6:11; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 11:24-26

IN OUR OLD Testament reading, we concluded the fourth book of the Bible and entered the final book of the Pentateuch, or Torah —the book of Deuteronomy. The coming days may feel like review in the Old Testament, as if we’ve covered the territory before —because we have. However, there is a specific gravity and intention behind Deuteronomy, for these are the final words of Moses.

Moses had grown old and would not be crossing the Jordan into the Land of Promise with the children of Israel, so he gathered the people to hear his final discourses. He wanted to leave nothing unsaid that needed to be said. He strove to remind his people of who they were, where they’d come from, and where they were going, including the pitfalls they had yet to face. When we read this book in this light, we can place ourselves in the crowd and listen carefully, for these final words of Moses resonate still today.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus found Himself at odds, yet again, with the religious leaders. This time it was over the laws governing the Sabbath day. The rule was that no work could be done on the Sabbath, and rabbinic tradition has continually wrestled with the definition of precisely what activity constitutes “work.” Jesus was about to commit a transgression in their eyes by healing someone on the Sabbath. They had determined that this would be an act of work, but Jesus wasn’t interested in playing the game.

“‘I have a question for you,’ he said. ‘Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?’ He looked around at them one by one and then said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” (Luke 6:9).

Defying —and probably embarrassing —the religious leaders, Jesus healed a man with a deformed hand on the Sabbath. After that, Jesus officially had enemies. The religious leaders were enraged and began discussing how to handle Him (Luke 6:11).

Reread and meditate on Psalm 66:10 today. Our flaws are drawn out of us when God tests us, just as the impurities in silver are drawn out when placed in a fire. Often, we do everything we can to avoid refinement because it’s hard. But this is how we grow up. We must embrace the refinement process that is a part of life and conclude as King David did: “We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance” (Psalm 66:12).

MEDITATION:

Let the whole world bless our God and loudly sing his praises. Our lives are in his hands, and he keeps our feet from stumbling.