THE FOUNDATION OF WORSHIP

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

“Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: ‘Keep all these commands that I give you today. When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. And when you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. Build there an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool upon them. Build the altar of the Lord your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them, and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord your God. And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up.’"

Deuteronomy 27:1-8

This ends our reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Up to this point in the Book of Deuteronomy, we have seen Moses providing God’s instructions to the Israelites but as chapter 27 opens, we find him joined by the “elders of Israel”. Together, we read where they gave the people of Israel the following command:

“When you have crossed the Jordan into the land the Lord your God is giving you, set up some large stones and coat them with plaster. Write on them all the words of this law when you have crossed over to enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you. And when you have crossed the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I command you today, and coat them with plaster. Build there an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool upon them. Build the altar of the Lord your God with fieldstones and offer burnt offerings on it to the Lord your God. Sacrifice fellowship offerings there, eating them, and rejoicing in the presence of the Lord your God. And you shall write very clearly all the words of this law on these stones you have set up."

Here, we can see where the law-inscribed stones would be used to construct the altar on which the Israelites would bring offerings to the Lord once they entered Canaan. In other words, they would form the foundation for Israel’s worship.

These mere eight verses convey to us that there was a premium placed on putting the Word of God at the base of His people’s adoration and reverence towards Him. It was the firm ground upon which the Israelite’s work within the Promised Land would be built on as they offered up their time, talent, and treasure in obedience to His will and way. This included acknowledging and fulfilling all He had commanded.

Today, God’s expectations haven’t changed any. He still expects us to use His Word as the underpinning of our worship but it goes even beyond that. He expects us to use His Word as our starting point for all things in life…and He expects us to do this in obedience with a sense of respect and admiration toward Him.

Friends, let us never miss a chance to take God’s word, write it our hearts, and then worship upon that solid foundation…a foundation that allows us to stand on solid spiritual ground, not sinking sand. And if you need some validation on this, remember these words from Jesus, our Savior…and Solid Rock:

“I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears My words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." Luke 6:47-49

As I close today, just a thought provoking question:

How firm is your spiritual foundation?

If it’s built on the Word, then be thankful for you are on solid ground.

If not, it’s time to rebuild your life on the firm foundation of the scriptures which leads you to the Solid Rock, the One who is the Rock of Ages, now and forevermore.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.