Deuteronomy
26:17-19 "Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy
God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments,
and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: (18) And the LORD
hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised
thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; (19) And
to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name,
and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as
he hath spoken."
There is something special about a spoken promise from one to another.
There is encouragement and security when the words are heard. This is what was
taking place in today's verses of Scripture. The people were speaking
aloud their heart and mind concerning their relationship with the Lord.
The word, avouched, means to communicate, or declare, a promise. Moses
was reminding the people of Israel they had openly declared the LORD to be
their God and the object of their worship and devotion. Likewise, God
avouched (openly promised and declared) Israel to be an holy people unto Him.
He promised to make them higher than all other nations. How was their honor to
be known by others? The height of their honor was shown by the height of
their praise unto the Lord. His promise to them would be shown openly as they
openly showed their devotion unto Him. I think ahead to the time when the
spies went into the city of Jericho and were hidden by Rahab. Her words
to them confirmed God's promise being fulfilled concerning making Israel to be
higher than all nations. Let's remember what she said to them: "I
know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon
us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we
have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came
out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on
the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as
soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there
remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he
is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath." (Joshua 2:9-11)
The people of the great walled city of Jericho were fearful of the
Israelites even before they arrived.
This morning, I stop to think about the promise God has made to all His children.
There is the promise of eternal life that was secured by the shed blood of our
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. There is nothing that can separate us from His
love in Christ Jesus. Nothing will alter that promise. But there is
also the promise that is given to each of us that secures our ability to
overcome daily temptations and the pitfalls of life. Just as God spoke to
Israel that they were to be a different (peculiar was the word used) people
from all the other nations, He also has spoken to each of His children. We are
to be a peculiar people in that we are to be different from those who hold to
the ways of the world. We are children of the most High God.
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) This is not a conditional statement in order to become children of God; rather, this is a conditional statement whereby we "avouch" (openly declare or promise) to live our lives in such a way that others can see the Lord God Almighty is indeed our Heavenly Father. In our daily walk, we are to show forth the difference that God has made in our lives. Lord, help me please to walk closer to you.