Thus Says the Lord

# 133 – Today's Du-votional comes from 1Sa 10:17,18, “Then Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah, 18 and said to the children of Israel, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all kingdoms and from those who oppressed you.'” (1 Sam 10:17,18) Mizpah was a popular place for Israel to hold national assemblies, and as they gather for the selection process, Samuel delivers the keynote address. As a prophet of God, he speaks for God. This is what prophets do, they confidently proclaim, “Thus says the Lord.” Frankly, we could use a few more prophets in the land these days calling us back to biblical repentance and obedience. We have become so grace happy that we just blow off sin and live the way we please. This should not be so. Let me give you a quick example of a “Thus says the Lord” in this matter of cheap grace. Thus says the Lord, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” ( Rom 6:1-4) Have you been baptized? Then you have put on Christ and you should no longer live in sin, but rather walk in newness of life. This newness of life is found all over the Scriptures as we read of the things that are pleasing to God, and the things that are not pleasing to God. This newness of life bursts forth every time we choose to be obedient to God's word (Law) AND every time we choose to believe His promises (Gospel) and act on them. Father, give us hearts that eagerly grasp your word as truth and seek to readily obey and trust it.