December 10 – Day 4
BACKGROUND: Now that we have a basic understanding of the Festival of Lights, we can delve into the blessings of Hanukkah. Recited every night is the first blessing - blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Who makes us holy with Your commandments, commanding us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. Is it the American in us or just the humanity in us that just thoroughly dislikes rules? When it comes to the commands of God, Christians in particular (of whom I am one) seem to have this "loophole mentality". How can I justify doing my own thing in my own way? Honestly, Jesus and the New Testament are our biggest loopholes - Jesus fulfilled the law, we have a new covenant, etc., etc., etc.
What I'm wrestling with about that personally is this - in the first and greatest sermon He ever gave, Jesus said this - "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them...Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven."
I don't see the loophole.
REFLECTION: Have I fully accepted the love of God expressed in His commands? Am I always looking for the loophole in the commandment or am I allowing my life to be marked as a child of God by a standard of behavior? This one will be hard for those who've come from legalistic practices of faith, but the commands of God (even on this side of the Cross of Christ) still make us holy and make us great in the Kingdom of God. We bless the name of Adonai our God for His love expressed through His commands.
PRAY: Pray through Psalm 119 - every verse references the laws, precepts and guidelines of God. Allow it to increase your love for His Word and His ways.