TODAY IS A WORLD UNTO ITSELF
Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made;”
People should pay close attention whenever Scripture repeats words. A previous devotion, “Melchizedek Blessings”, quoted Deuteronomy 11:26-27, but not in totality. Here, see the word “today” twice: “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today.”
The sentence ends with a curse people bring on themselves when they disobey the commands that the Lord gave them.
Believers accept that the Bible is God’s Word written by men inspired by God’s Spirit. So, every word bears profound significance. The word “today” could have easily been omitted the second time without changing the meaning of the passage. Clearly, “today” demands a closer look.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, (a great Hasidic master of the 18th century), once said, “In this world, a person has only the very day and the very moment in which he finds himself. Tomorrow is a completely different world.”
God stresses the importance of today, as well. The opening Scripture wants people to “rejoice and be glad” in “this day”. Does God intend rejoicing and gladness to be commands? That sounds like a good idea to me.
God made this day specifically for His kids; surely “Today” IS good! Rabbi Nachman stresses today as a world unto itself. When it’s gone—like tomorrow—another world will take today’s world’s place.
Jewish masters explain that each day has its own “spark.” This day is unique in its opportunities and challenges, its own potential for greatness or failure. Or, in terms of Deuteronomy 11:26-27, possibilities for blessings—or curses, heaven forbid! When this day is done, its spark is gone forever—and so also are the choices that people had this morning!
Understanding this, we find a new appreciation for the Lord’s setting before us today a blessing or a curse, don’t we? Life isn’t a game. We need to take life seriously. Life is a gift for which we have a duty to live our best.
Take Home Nugget
Life is human’s proving ground. Every single day affords us opportunities to choose—using God’s gift of free will—obedience and blessings, or—disobedience and—why would we be surprised at God’s curses? (See the lesson that’s linked below).
No matter how miserably you may have failed yesterday, you can choose obedience and blessings today!
After death, how cool would it be if friends agree that you lived each day to the fullest for God?
“This s a day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Thank You, Lord. I’ll make every effort to make today count for blessings! Amen.
Adapted from “This is the Day” by Rabbi Eckstein. September 01, 2016. www.HolyLandMoments Daily Devotional.
J.D. Griffith
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