following the law – Be Still…

Acts 9:1-9 – Whom God Chooses

God doesn’t always choose the people you expect. Look at me! I’m a retired paralegal from the Midwest now serving as a missionary in Mexico and writing Bible devotions to help people connect with God. But Saul’s story is extraordinary, and it’s one we should pay attention to.

We’re not told here what becomes of Saul after he’s blinded by the light. Saul’s conversion story is powerful, and you can read more about it and how God uses other people to help Saul here in Acts 9. But for our reflection today, let’s consider what this tells us about our theme of listening to God’s Word. Continue reading “Acts 9:1-9 – Whom God Chooses”

Leviticus 26:1-46 – To Obey or Not

Read Leviticus 26:1-46

Life in the Promised Land is at stake. God’s prescription for life is wrapping up with this exhortation of what happens if you make the choice to disobey. If the people obey, the land will be as great as possible. If they disobey, well then, they’ll understand how God feels about that, too.

Personally, I think the sounds of an abundant land safe from enemies sound delightful. Sometimes we know who our enemies are, and sometimes we don’t. God is being transparent with the consequences. Sitting on this side of history, we know how the Israelites chose to behave. God didn’t send them into exile for a generation or two for good behavior. Continue reading “Leviticus 26:1-46 – To Obey or Not”

Nehemiah 9:38-10:39 – Vow of Faithfulness

Read Nehemiah 9:38-10:39

Our next couple readings will be longer than usual, but they include a list of names. Again, I am impressed by the record keeping and how this was shared with us. I have flashbacks to when I would acknowledge a list of people for some accomplishment as a ministry leader. I always feared leaving someone off the list by accident!

Today’s reading calls out those leaders who had vowed their allegiance to God. These leaders were joined by the people who affirmed their participation in this vow of faithfulness. The people must have deemed it necessary to make this promise official with the oath and sealed document.