Thursday, July 2, 2015

July 2, 2015: Deuteronomy 10:17-21


Deuteronomy 10:17-21
Passage:
17 because the Lord your God is the God of all gods and Lord of all lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God who doesn’t play favorites and doesn’t take bribes. 18 He enacts justice for orphans and widows, and he loves immigrants, giving them food and clothing. 19 That means you must also love immigrants because you were immigrants in Egypt. 20 Revere the Lord your God, serve him, cling to him, swear by his name alone! 21 He is your praise, and he is your God—the one who performed these great and awesome acts that you witnessed with your very own eyes.[1]
Reflection:
Early in my faith I was taught not to believe in luck.  Instead, I was to think of it as God's favor in my life.  If something good happened to me, then God had favor on me.  If something bad happened to me, then I had either made God angry or I wasn't obeying God as I should. It took me awhile to realize that God's favor on me had nothing to do with the amount God loves me.  With this epiphany, it also dawned on me that God loves all people and our circumstances had nothing to do with being God's favorite. If God loves us all, then perhaps we should respond to that love by loving each other without favorites. That means that I can no longer look down on someone in less desirable circumstances than me.  If I have the opportunity to help someone in need, regardless of their social status, then I honor God by aiding them. In contrast, I can also no longer look up to someone in more desirable circumstances than me. If I need help, I should not be ashamed to ask some who can help me in my need for their assistance.
Reflection Questions:
Morning: How will I honor God and adjust my perception of those around me knowing God loves each one of us?
Noon:  How can I help someone in need today with the special gifts or extra grace God has given me and honor God more?
Evening:  Who is someone I can seek advice or assistance from that will help me grow and be a blessing to others and honor God more?
Prayer: God, help me to honor you by not playing favorites.  Instead help me to grow in my faithfulness to you and enact justice in the community for those in need.


[1] Common English Bible (Nashville, TN: Common English Bible, 2011), Dt 10:17–21.

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