March 13
Deuteronomy 3:21-5:33
Jesus said in Luke 6:39, "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?" We are all familiar with that phrase, though many might not realize that it came from Jesus. If, and this is a big if, your child was raised in a household which was centered on God, not societal "goodness", that child will eventually have to transition. He or she will enter school, engage in sports teams or other activities, go to college, enter the workforce, get married, etc. Most in each of these other places are indeed spiritually blind. We essentially send our children to be led by spiritually blind individuals. This is the importance of being rooted in God's Word. Neighborhoods, social circles, everything will change, but the Word of God remains constant, and never changes. Please never forget the purpose of this reading program. The God Moments and Testimonies might be moving. The commentaries and messages might help you see things you didn't realize before. The worship song might be uplifting. But these are all additives to what is the main purpose, a steady diet of God's Word, in fact, the entirety of God's Word. This is the only way that any of us will not fall into the trap of "the blind leading the blind".
We read in Deuteronomy 4:1-2, "“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." For forty years, God has led the children of Israel by the hand, literally providing for their every need, just as children are in their earthly households. When they are to cross the Jordan and enter into the Promised Land, the people there are carnal, idolatrous, the opposite of God fearing. When our children leave our households and transition into the world, sadly, there is no difference. Our schools, childhood activities, workplaces, neighborhoods, etc. have little to nothing to do with God. In fact, our society considers it wrong, even illegal, to bring the things of God into these arenas. To compromise or assimilate, many seek to add or take away from the Word of God, which is strictly forbidden from the verse above. We read in Revelation 22:18-19, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
We must realize that these influences are powerful. We read in Deuteronomy 4:38, "...He brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, with His mighty power, driving out from before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land as an inheritance, as it is this day." God is powerful. In our own strength, we are not. His Word gives us direction in a world which will do everything possible to spin you in the wrong direction. If you think you can navigate this world without the Bible you are fooling yourself. You will be fooled, and you will be changed. We should all take to heart Paul's words in 2 Timothy 3:15-17, "and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: