JUNE 29, 2024
READ: Deuteronomy 33:1-5, 12
MEMORY VERSE
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him.” Deuteronomy 33:12
BACKGROUND
To express her sadness, Allie, a young girl, wrote on a piece of wood and set it in a park: “To be honest, I’m sad. Nobody ever wants to hang out with me, and I have lost the only person that listens. I cry every day.”
When someone found that note, she brought sidewalk chalk to the park and asked people to write their thoughts to Allie. Dozens of words of support were left by students from a nearby school: “We love you.” “God loves you.” “You are beloved.”
The school principal said, “This is one little way that we can reach out and maybe help fill [her void]. She represents all of us because at some point in time we have all or will all experience sadness and suffering.”
The phrase “You are beloved” reminds me of a beautiful blessing by Moses to the Israelite tribe of Benjamin just before he died: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him” (Deuteronomy 33:12).
Moses had been a strong leader for God, defeating enemy nations, receiving the Ten Commandments, and challenging them to follow God. He left them with God’s view of them.
The word beloved can be used of us as well, for Jesus said, “God so loved the world that He gave [us] his one and only Son” (John 3:16).
As God helps us to rest securely in the truth that every believer in Jesus is “beloved,” we can reach out to love others as Allie’s new friends did.
By: Anne Cetas
INSIGHT
The “blessing scene” in Deuteronomy 33 is reminiscent of Genesis 49 where Jacob, on the threshold of his death, assembled his sons to bless them: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come” (v. 1).
Verse 28 concludes: “All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said to them when he blessed them, giving each the blessing appropriate to him.” What Jesus did is similar to these Old Testament blessings.
Prior to His crucifixion and after His resurrection, Christ’s words and actions indelibly marked His chosen followers.
Luke’s gospel closes with this scene: “When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven” (24:50-51).
By: Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
How are you learning to rest securely in God’s love? How will you share that love with others?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“…at some point in time we have all or will all experience sadness and suffering…(but) As God helps us to rest securely in the truth that every believer in Jesus is “beloved,”, we can reach out to love others”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“We are blessed by the BEST”
“To have friends who will always take you to higher ground is an incalculable blessing.” John Bytheway
PRAYER
“May I be confident in Your love for me, dear God, and spread Your love to those around me.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS”
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.
Count your blessings, name them one by one…
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Count your blessings, name them one by one…
So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
PROVERBS 4
