Today’s readings.. (Deuteronomy 26), (Song of Solomon 6), (Acts 21,22)

Moses’ final message to the emerging nation of Israel is now approaching its’ climax. Today’s chapter 26 in Deuteronomy contains two statements that arrested our attention. First he says to them, “You have declared today that the LORD is your God, and that you will walk in his ways and keep his commandments and his rules and obey his voice” [V.17].

As a result, says Moses, , “The LORD has declared today that you are a people for his treasured possession … and that he will set you in praise and in fame and in honour high above all nations that he has made and that you shall be a people holy to the LORD … “ [v.18,19].

Under Joshua’s leadership the LORD’S declaration started to be fulfilled. In the reigns of King David and King Solomon it was a time of rejoicing as these righteous kings led the nation to walk in the ways of their God and keep what they had declared.

It was not so with every generation but God’s declaration still stands. When believers are baptised they accept this declaration as being for them. it happens at their baptism! What the LORD declares will have its’ fulfilment in the life to come on earth when the Lord Jesus Christ reigns. All those who have made or decide to make a declaration now to serve him and who are then faithful to their declaration will experience what God has declared and become his treasured possession.

The final prophet of the Old Testament era, Malachi. used this phrase when he wrote, “Then those that feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. ‘They shall be mine,’ says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession …” [Malachi 3 v.16-17] In that day they will fully experience what “the LORD has declared”.

Let us ask ourselves! Did I talk with others today of things that our Lord would be pleased to hear? Did I do so because I am in awe (fear) of him? If not, let us do so tomorrow – and all the days thereafter.