Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23; Luke 8:40-9:6; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 12:5-7
As good as some people may seem, we must be careful that they do not draw us away from God! Moses cautions the Israelites about prophets who come in God’s name and do miraculous signs and speak accurate prophetic words. Then, they somehow suggest that you should turn aside to follow foreign (or strange) gods. Even though they did spectacular things, their testimony is not to be believed because they are not remaining true to God.
Those who lead people astray, away from God, were to be put to death. This seems like a big deal for God to demand the ultimate penalty for them. Well, it is a big deal! If someone is drawing you away from Him, that person cannot be trusted– even if they do spectacular spiritual things. This is the caution that all of us have to heed.
No one should be allowed to weaken our relationship with God or the church in which God has set us because if we lose those two anchors in our lives, we will drift aimlessly on the sea of life. If you have let someone do this, there is no better time than today to get back in place. Repent to God for allowing this to happen and then get back in place. Your joy and peace are tied to being in the right place! When you are in the right place, you can say like our psalm reading, “I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me. I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.”
Tomorrow’s Reading: Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9