thinking about purging excess

If someone had told me I would sit down and read the second half of the book of Deuteronomy in one sitting I would have said, “No Way!” Yet that is exactly what I did this afternoon. To read another book that will explain a book of the Bible feels like cheating to me because I am not just getting Jesus’ words but someone else’s words too.

 But when it comes to the Old Testament, believe me I need all the help I can get.

I love what Billy Graham says, “Our faith is not dependent upon human knowledge and scientific advance, but upon the unmistakable message of the Word of God.”

So today, I did spend some time in What the Bible is all About by Dr. Henrietta Mears. Mears breaks down the book of Deuteronomy into three parts:

• Chapters 1-4 Moses’ first address Looking Back
• Chapters 5-26 Moses’ second address Looking Up
• Chapters 27-34 Moses’ third address Looking Out

It is important to note that along with the book of Deuteronomy I began reading
7 an experimental mutiny against excess today also.

So when I opened to Deut 17 and read on through Deut 22 and counted over ten times Moses says “You must purge the evil from among you” can I just say that it was no mistake to read this passage in one sitting. There must have been a reason that he repeated this pharse so many times; don't you agree?

That was just one of the many verses that spoke to me here are a few more:

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to           imitate the detestable ways. Deut 18:9

For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deut 20:4

Keep away from anything impure. Your camp must be holy, so that he will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you. Deut 23:9, 14

Oh Father, as I continue in your word may I be one who follows theses decrees and laws; carefully observing them with all my heart and with all my soul. This day may I declare that the Lord is my God and that I will walk in His ways and that I will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that I will obey Him. May this be a choice not only for me but for my children, and grandchildren. May we live and love the Lord our God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him.