Moses says to the Israelites: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live...” (Deut 4:1) Jesus affirms these statutes and decrees when he says: “until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place.” (Matthew 5:18, from today’s gospel) We should be so grateful to God for his instructions to us! Jesus clearly recommends the Old Testament law to us, saying their commands have not and will not pass away until the end of time. Do we know them? Do we take time to read the Old Testament? The first daily discipline I began in my spiritual journey was to read one chapter of the Bible each night before bed. This has led to countless blessings in my life - knowing Jesus from an early age, having wisdom beyond my years when I was young, avoiding much trouble and pain especially in moral decisions, and not the least, hearing gentle but profound callings to my vocation through God’s Holy Word. What wonders has God’s Word done in your life? Do you treasure it, as really God’s Word, from the mouth of God Himself?
Prayer:
“Good and gracious God, thank You for Your Holy Word. May I be devoted to it my whole life, so I may become as that tree in Psalm 1, planted by streams of water. May the Word of God be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. May these inspired, living words teach me, reprove me, correct me, train me in righteousness, pierce my heart, enlighten my mind, and be a sword of the Spirit against the Enemy, just as You used these words against the Devil when tempted in the desert. May I drink deeply of the life-giving water of Your Word, and may it be as daily bread. May I believe in them, hope in them, and trust them as leading to a greater love of Your Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Action:
Pray about how you can engage more regularly with God’s Word in your life. For an overview of the entire story of the Bible, consider watching this lecture (or reading the book in the video’s description) which gives a great overview of the entire story arc of the Bible.