May 21, 2020

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Read – Deuteronomy 12

What does it say?
Israel received instructions on how to prepare for worship and celebration of God.

What does it mean?
As the Israelites prepared to enter Canaan, Moses reminded them to worship God alone and resist all forms of idolatry. Too often they had gone astray on their journey only to find death and destruction. God desired the focused, sincere worship of His people, and the first requirement was very simple: eliminate everything that would hinder their relationship with Him. The land they were about to enter was filled with people who worshiped false gods. He did not want His children lured away. With the distractions removed and His commands followed, the Israelites could finally come together and celebrate in the worship of God the way He wanted and deserved.

How should I respond?
We are bombarded every day with countless opportunities, circumstances, and technologies – all of which fight for our attention. Even the regular stuff of life can divert our attention from our relationship with the Lord Jesus, diminishing our trust in Him. Our personal wandering is too often the result of refusing to remove anything that draws us away from God. What things in life are you allowing to lure your time and attention away from Christ? Ask God to help you eliminate them so that you can experience the joy of worshipping Him the way He deserves.