Day 76 - March 17, 2025

Deuteronomy 29-30 Reflection:

 Breaking covenant with God is a very serious matter, a matter of life or death. In this Scripture we can see God has reconciled with His people and has the desire to renew the Covenant He made with them even the Abrahamic one not just concerning the Mosaic Law. He warns though that if anyone is among them that has the desire in them to turn away from the Lord and the holy customs of the Israelites to serve other gods they will potentially poison the whole camp with their deceit. This will lead to a curse against every Jew ("moist and dry alike") -- according to Rabbi Nachmanides this is a way to compare people to a garden. The "moist" would be those watered with the Living Water, there are satiated. Those that are dry are thirsty and unsatisfied. There are a risk in the garden. I learned recently that even Jezebel as wicked a queen as she was, she was given time to repent. We all are before judgment befalls. It will be either the wrath of God or chastisement. Wrath would mean an intent on destruction but chastisement would be events/trials intended to discipline. We should never walk into he stubbornness of our own hearts, we should instead allow the Lord to search our hearts and purge what isn't of Him. Remember Matthew 15:1-20. It's what is already IN a man's heart that defiles him. Our hearts are naturally wicked. That is why we must "crucify our flesh" and die daily to our selfish desires. So many cry the devil made me do it but did he really? You can't cast out your flesh and you certainly can't crucify a demon. Interestingly enough further in this chapter is the explanation of the "children's bread." Keyword children. This means the children of God not just anyone. Deliverance is the "children's bread." Christians are oppressed to throw them off course with their walk in Christ. The devil doesn't have a reason to mess with someone comfortable in their sin but once you start walking out your calling and step out of the comfort zone of lukewarmness or complacency, you best believe you have a target on your head. That's why you need the armor of God to withstand the enemy's attacks. Read Ephesians 6:10-20 for all the detailed pieces. Armor up, be always suited for battle because as 1 Peter 5:8 states: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." The opposition is oppressive and relentless. They will use any tactic they can to distract you, demonize you, deter you and destroy you. Thankfully God in His mercy and grace provides an escape from this, He is our rescuer, our salvation. When we are obedient He rewards us with blessings, and when we call on the Name of Jesus we are set free from all that oppresses us. But everything good from the Lord requires a repentant heart. Not regret. Repentance is more than regret. It is a turning away from sin and not returning. That doesn't mean we won't make mistakes and back slide but it means we won't have a desire to do so willfully and I guarantee as we strive to be more perfect (spiritually mature) we won't make the same mistakes as much as we once did because we know to surrender it all at His feet. Don't go back and pick it back up, that weight is too heavy for you.