Prosperity Gospel?
Opening Prayer
God of Life, I long to walk in Your light and to be a light to a world in darkness. Let Your love flow from me.
Read DEUTERONOMY 30:1-10
[1] When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come on you and you take them to heart wherever the LORD your God disperses you among the nations, [2] and when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, [3] then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. [4] Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. [5] He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. [6] The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. [7] The LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you. [8] You will again obey the LORD and follow all his commands I am giving you today. [9] Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your ancestors, [10] if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are the connections made in the passage?While it might be precarious for us to interpret contemporary world events as certain indicators of either God’s judgment or blessing, it is surely true that God acts in history, and he expects us to acknowledge it (1). When a people turn to God and leave behind the corrupt practices of the past, society changes for the better.In the 1740s in Britain, George Whitefield and the Wesley brothers witnessed a remarkable transformation of society through the preaching of the Gospel. Over a 60-year period there was a radical returning to God, and society was blessed with profound social reform. But such a returning to God is not always welcome. The Hebrew idea of “return” strongly suggests repentance–and it needs to result in changed behavior right now (2). The blessings which follow are immediately obvious (3). Notice how a new understanding is introduced to this story in verse 6. Circumcision is an outward sign of the covenant, but God shows that what matters to him is not the sign, but what it signifies in the heart.
Apply
Ask God if he is at the center of your heart. Listen and respond by turning to him with everything in you.
Closing prayer
God, in every circumstance, help me to see You and to walk in step with You.
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