Reading
SAA Notes
These blessings tell us something about drought – it relates to us the Church, and not to the state of our nation. Droughts happen under the providence of God. The blessings of rain and abundant harvest are blessing promised to the Church – God’s people. Droughts are an occasion for us to search our own hearts to see if we have been straying from the ways of God, to pray for rain and to husband our resources more wisely – to use and replenish!
SJA Notes
* Loving God, I will give thanks to You with my whole heart, I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in You, I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High!
“And if you faithfully obey …”
This is prophesy, truth-telling.
IF <this> THEN <that>
Obedience brings blessing. Disobedience brings curse.
Instead of the enemies fleeing seven ways when blessed, Israel would flee seven ways when cursed.
Instead of being the head and going only upwards with obedience, disobedience brings Israel down as a byword and horror-story.
Israel’s history shows us that we can’t obey in our own strength. We only choose disobedience.
So how can we gain the blessings of obedience?
Hebrews 8 tells us that we are to operate under a different law and covenant.
Jesus brought about the law of grace (John 1:17) in which we are justified by faith (Galatians 3:24-26).
What of the blessings for this new covenant?
We have the fruits of the Holy spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The “For they shall” objects in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-11). The whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).
We have these blessings to unfold and unlock and understand through our days walking with our Lord, reading His word, submitting under His will.
Praise God that He has brought us, redeemed, us, saved us. In Jesus alone. Through His righteousness and not our own.
Hallelujah, what a Saviour!
* Father God,
Thank You for the blessings You give to us here on earth.
Thank You for our hop in eternal life, that inheritance which never rusts or fades, the blessings that You have in store for us.
Please fix our eyes on Jesus today.
Amen.