Deuteronomy Chapter 17
18 “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, 20 that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.
~ Deuteronomy 17:18-20
We have been doing the Closer Day By Day Bible Reading campaign since 2009. And the idea then was to help members in their daily Bible reading but also to encourage contributors to write and share their impressions of the passages that are read. In this way, everyone can be edified and benefit together.
Now we have also added in the daily Morning Bible sharing by the Preachers (if you cannot attend the morning sessions live, you can always watch the video recordings in the Facebook group).
For many of the writers from the beginning till now, I am sure when we read verses 18-20 today, it has resonated with us.
While we may not be kings, we are God’s chosen people. A royal priesthood. His own special people.
And the exercise that was given to the kings that were to come – for them to write for themself a copy of the law in this book, to read it all the days of his life – so that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law – continues to ring true for us today.
When we make the effort to read, reflect, write… we are teaching, reminding and learning ourselves what we should or should not do. And how to stay on the straight and narrow path and not turn left or right.
I know of an elderly sister who spends hours writing out Bible verses in her notebooks (yes… many books).
I know of many members who make sermon notes every service.
It is a very good habit to cultivate.
God has given us absolute truths to guide us in our lives. The Psalmist declares the Word of God “is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
God said through Jeremiah the prophet, to the nation of Judah, even as it was failing:
Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.” But they said, “We will not walk in it”
~ Jer. 6:16 ~
Therein lies a warning. We may know the Word of God, copy it, learn it… but we can also choose not to walk in it.
Over the years of Closer Day By Day, unfortunately, not all contributors continue to write. Some have chosen to also no longer come to church.
Many of the kings of Judah and Israel know about the Word of God. But many did not walk in it.
The question we have to ask of ourselves today – even if we are attending services regularly, contributing to the work of God, writing and learning everyday … are we working out our salvation with fear and trembling.
There is no guarantees that even if we know the Word of God that we will walk in it. We have to work at it every day of our lives.
May God help all of us.
