20 Elul 5993 / 6 September 2023
Day 249 Readings
Torah: Nitzavim-Vayelech, 4th Portion Devarim (Deuteronomy) 30:15-31:6
Deuteronomy 30
19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”
Deuteronomy 31
5 The Lord will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Bible Study Together
Deuteronomy 18:9-22
9 “When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the [a]abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass[b] through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For all who do these things are [c]an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. 13 You shall be [d]blameless before the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 26
17 Today you have declared the Lord to be your God, and [g]that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His ordinances, and listen to His voice 18 And the Lord has today declared you to be His people, His personal possession, just as He promised you, and [h]that you are to keep all His commandments; 19 and [i]that He will put you high above all the nations which He has made, for glory, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.”
Romans 16
6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and [e]Junia, my kinsfolk and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding in the view of the apostles, who also [f]were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
365 Daily Kingdom Living
Love’s Delight
As you read through this poetic drama over the next few days, let the passion of these two lovers be an inspiration to you. May it rekindle the spark of your own affection for your spouse, and even more important, may you learn, feel and experience a similar passion for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ who gave his life for us. His love is the greatest delight.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I confess too often my passion for you has waned. The busyness of life and daily routines preoccupy my heart. Regretfully I have not been really thinking about how much you mean to me. Restore the passion in my soul. You are my delight. May my love for you grow…even today! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture
Song of Songs 1:2
The Banquet
The [a]Shulamite
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—For [b]your love is better than wine.
Song of Songs 5 NKJV
7 The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me;
The keepers of the walls Took my veil away from me.
8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, That you tell him I am lovesick!
The Shulamite
10 My beloved is white and ruddy,[g]Chief among ten thousand. 11 His head is like the finest gold;His locks are wavy,And black as a raven.12 His eyes are like dovesBy the rivers of waters,Washed with milk,And [h]fitly set.13 His cheeks are like a bed of spices,Banks of scented herbs.His lips are lilies,Dripping liquid myrrh.
Song of Songs 6 NASB
The Bride
2 “My beloved has gone down to his garden,To the beds of balsam,To pasture his flock in the gardensAnd gather lilies.3 I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine,He who pastures his flock among the lilies.”
12 [f]Before I was aware, my soul set meOver the chariots of [g]my noble people.”
The Chorus
13 “[h]Come back, come back, O Shulammite;Come back, come back, so that we may look at you!”
The Groom
“Why should you look at the Shulammite,As at the dance of [i]the two armies?
2 Corinthians 8:16-24
16 But thanks be to God who puts the same earnestness in your behalf in the heart of Titus. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest, he has gone to you of his own accord.
Psalms 50
14 Offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving Andpay your vows to the Most High;
15 Call upon Me on the day of trouble; I willrescue you, and you willhonor Me.”
23 He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who sets his way properly
I will show the salvation of God.”
Proverbs 22:22-23
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor crush the needy at the gate;
23 For the Lord will plead their case And [a]take the life of those who rob them.