SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 12
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“’Sir,’ the woman said, ‘I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.’ Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem… Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” [John 4:19-23] This Samaritan woman talks with Jesus about places of worship. Behind this conversation is the message of Deuteronomy 12, as well as the troubled history between the Jews and the Samaritan half-breeds.
Jesus exposes the error of both the Jews and the Samaritans. They failed to realize that God’s warning about one place of worship was to prevent the worship of other gods, not because the site was more sacred than others. Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim [symbol of blessing, Deuteronomy 11:29] were only symbols of pure devotion to God as the only God. Whereas the other nations worshiped the gods of rivers and trees and the sun, etc., they were to worship the only God from the heart, in the truth of Who He was.
Not until Jesus breaks the power of sin and gives us God’s Spirit do we experience the liberating freedom of worshipping God authentically and accurately. The time has come. Through Jesus, by the Spirit, we are able to worship God wherever we are, whatever we are doing. There is only one God, and He is Lord over all aspects of creation and life. Moses’ Law gives specific regulations that guide and control worship. But these are not eternal laws but temporary rules that protect us from sin and rebellion, until Jesus sets us free. “So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.” [Galatians 3:24-25]
The lesson from Deuteronomy 12 is to make sure we keep our focus on God. It is a warning about distraction, about compromising our commitment to God with other worldly interests. It is an encouragement to take steps to keep the focus on the Lord (fixing it on the mind, tying symbols on the hand, binding them on foreheads, etc.). In other words, DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to keep your heart devoted to the Lord. What steps will I take? What symbol will I use? What discipline will I commit to?
PRAYER:
Lord, I am easily distracted. I choose the symbol of the cross as a reminder of Your love for me, and my love for You, wherever I am!
Do thio and live.
Worship the one and only true God by seeking Him and live. Do not follow the rituals of the people’s around you. Seek the Lord your God and you will find Him and live! Listen to His commands. Listen to His voice. Just do it and live! See His faithfulness in the days past. Stay focussed and serve only Him.
How then shall I live this day? Today God is first! I am reminded of His presence in visible ways – my bracelet, His Word, my daily task, His people, a stalk of wheat from a fellow believer, the cross I wear. help me to be a living example of Christ Jesus each day Lord – a Jesus follower, singleness of mind, one purpose – to serve You always.
O Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
Be thou for ever near me,
My Master and my Friend:
I shall not fear the battle
If thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If thou wilt be my guide.
O let me feel thee near me:
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.