Trials, miraculous signs, wonders, war, a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts. Right before your eyes.
35 “He showed you these things so you would know that the Lord is God and there is no other. 36 He let you hear his voice from heaven so he could instruct you. He let you see his great fire here on earth so he could speak to you from it.” Deuteronomy 4:35-36, NLT. (emphasis mine)
39 “So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:39, NLT.
These chapters are full of commandments.
The training field is real life.
Jesus speaks to his disciples:
“22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man.” Luke 6:22, NLT.
He says when that happens to be happy, to leap for joy.
Sometimes it’s hard to make the connection between hatred/exclusion/etc to joy.
He says:
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” Luke 6:27-28, NLT. (emphasis mine)
I slow down and listen. This life, a training field. I read–
“40 Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.” Luke 6:40, NLT (emphasis mine)
A training field, a holy ground.
47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke 6:47-49, NLT.
Lord, you are God both in heaven and on earth. I praise you! You are sovereign. Mighty. Awesome. An enemy schemes to distract me from you. Help me to keep my eyes on you: author and perfecter of faith–teacher–God. You show me these things, so that you can speak to me from them.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 