Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it (Deuteronomy 30:11-14).
I was encouraged after reading this passage considering the uncertain times we face today. Moses gave this charge to a people that faced uncertainty for they were about to enter a land without security or clear vision. They were asked to trust and walk with God that was/is knowable.
John Jewell, 16th Century Bishop of Salisbury who lived through the Reformation, wrote, “The Bible is a shop that contains the wisdom, knowledge, power, judgments, and mercies of God. Wherever we look we will see displayed the works of his hands. We will see his work of creation and his preservation of everything…and his gracious redemption of the believer.” He went on to say, “There is no need to beat your brains out in searching. The word and commandment of God will sufficiently teach you.” I would add, “and sustain you in troubled times.”
I hope that you will renew yourself with Holy Scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you during this time of uncertainty. Draw strength from His Word. Look at how God has sustained so many who looked to him and followed in the steps of Christ.
This week’s readings:
Monday – Titus 2
Tuesday – Titus 3
Wednesday – Jude
Thursday – Philemon
Friday – Hebrew 1
Please Pray for:
Our ministers and their families.
Those who are unwillingly absent.
The United Methodist Church family.
Our nation and our leaders.
The World.
The Lost.
The lives of those touched by the Coronavirus.