At four months old, my second daughter was so pleasant we nicknamed her “Happy Girl.”
My husband and I were also happier by the day as we returned to normal rhythms, leaving the fog of sleepless nights behind. But despite her agreeable disposition, Natalie’s skin was far from normal. Angry red patches erupted on her once perfect complexion; now, rough, scaly patches covered her legs and arms.
Though I desperately wanted her eczema to go away, our pediatrician’s solution shocked me in its severity. “You need to eliminate dairy from your diet,” she stated emphatically. “And since it’s impossible to know which dairy protein she’s sensitive to, you’ll need to cut all of it out.”
My head reeled from that pronouncement; I Internet-searched, sighed, mumbled, and even cried a little. (Yes, I love cream in my coffee that much.) Because your body can take weeks to process dairy, the challenge before me was daunting. There would be no sneaking a bite or two of ice cream, no simply “reducing my dairy intake”—I was purging my system of an entire food group. The very definition of a purge is to “expel something completely” and without exception.
In Deuteronomy 19, the Israelites are given a similarly strict, unequivocal instruction themselves as they prepare to settle into a more established way of life in the promised land. But their instruction wasn’t to purge an allergen from their diets. At the end of this chapter, they are told they “must purge the evil” from among them (v.19). This same command is also employed in verse 13.
Here the Lord gave the nation of Israel a directive that required they take a serious stance on the existence of evil. To do this, they had to submit to God as their ultimate authority. Verse 17 explains the deliberations in this way: “The two people in the dispute are to stand in the presence of the LORD before the priests and judges in authority at that time.”
Living in the presence of the Lord changes us and our allegiances. Rather than show pity or rationalization toward sinful behavior, we are to live in joyful obedience to the Lord, leaving sin behind—in doing so, “[we] will prosper” in the presence of and in relationship with our God (v.13).
“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). Obedience to the Lord requires unequivocal commitment and a total rejection of sin; those who belong to God are called to cut sin out of our lives as we pursue holiness instead (Matthew 5:48). In the Lord’s goodness, wisdom, and sovereignty, He calls those who follow Him to live lives of fair treatment of others and right action.
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39 thoughts on "Fair Treatment and Right Action"
God requires undivided loyalty to him. The Israelites were not strong enough even to rule over another people that worshipped different gods. With the Holy Spirit we are now called to reach out to those people and bring them in.
This isn’t easy but I am appreciative of this reminder
What a great example Jennifer Redmond of what you went through with your baby girl.
. . . to turn a blind eye to it so easily separates us from God. Obedience to our God is more important than being accepted and is a choice.
Challenging. But allowing sin in our lives of
Lord I must trust you
I feel distant and then am reminded again and again that I need time spent with Him. No matter how confusing the Bible is, or what questions I leave with, I feel perfectly filled for that moment. Wondering what he is teaching me and receiving it. This section of the Bible is a lot of content that I have never read snd in finding it hard for me to go through so fast . M
❤️
“Living in the presence of the Lord changes us and our allegiances. Rather than show pity or rationalization toward sinful behavior, we are to live in joyful obedience to the Lord, leaving sin behind”. This spoke so true to me today- often times I feel like I am placed somewhere to “let my light shine” but at what point do you stop giving grace and leave it all behind? Praying for the Holy Spirit to guide me in these situations.
Psalm 1 goes with this devotion perfectly, and its what i read today unbeknownst at the time. Like a tree planted by the water… those who seek righteousness will prosper.
This is helpful! Thank you for sharing
It’s crazy how if we let ourselves do one thing it spirals into bigger issues. I pray we learn to stand firm in our approach to sin not letting ourselves have a”pass”
I love Jesus! God is not dead
“[…] But whoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also”
With this I am reminded about the toxic revenge concept, that at times, American culture like to portray. Many times we are told to get revenge on someone, but that makes us just as bad. As people who love and follow Jesus, we are supposed to forgive people who do wrong by us. This may be difficult for so many people, but I would hope that one day, we will all choose forgiveness than spitefulness. Jesus loves you!
Amen!
SARAH ROSE and JANE K…that is so convicting!!
Oh, all my Lovelies!! Reading your comments (starting with ERB’s) and knowing you are praying literally finally made me cry!! Please keep praying, knowing that his wife already feels they are seeing a “miracle so far” in that Danny did squeeze doctor’s hand when asked to do so. Praise Jesus. Please keep praying.
LISA, that is SO encouraging! (Still in early 40s). Please Jesus!!
PENNY, that was fantastic research. ERB, I was just last night writing to my Jewish colleagues re: how much I love this time of the year to celebrate and reflect alongside my Jewish sisters! Shana Tova!!
DOROTHY, I am so pleased you went ahead with the Chronological Bible…as I mentioned to you many months ago, it has been my FAVOURITE journey through the Bible; I hope it will be the same for you too!!
MARI V, I’m sending you and your ankle a bunch of love; please don’t push it in such a way that it could worsen.
(Sorry if missed anyone but, I thanked God for each of you individually as I read.)
What actions, behaviors, patterns do I need to purge? A few come to mind. How amazing that it IS PROMISED that we WILL bear fruit (John 15:5) when we are submitted to God and not to this world. What a great promise that is! The process (discipline) of doing so may be difficult, but we will reap a fruitful harvest!
Praying for all your prayer request. Praying for Danny.
Maura. Victoria. ERB. And everyone. Enjoying a short ride with my children out for coffee which is our “thing”. Trying out a new place which required a 45 minute drive.
Praying for all your prayer request. Praying for Danny. Maura. 
As a lover of Jesus may I find myself treating others fairly and may my actions be Christlike motivated. PLEASE pray, on Saturday I was trying out a cruiser bike and fell and severely twisted my ankle. Thankfully after a doctor phone appointment we think it is not broken just severely sprained. I did not want to go to the ER because it would incur more charges to my already high medical bill. I’m able to walk on it slightly. Please pray I can go back to work tomorrow with minimal pain.
Praying for Danny that he be restored!
I was at early at my usual time 5:30 AM like clockwork. But I didn’t have to work today. So I went ahead and read through this DEVO but I did not post.
Searching, thank you!
Nads I will be praying for Danny.
Thank you Penny W. That commentary was helpful with hard concepts.
God and Christ do want us to treat certain people — people that are nice to us, people who look like us, people who think like us and people who worship like us — with love, honor, respect, and especially kindness, no we are to treat EVERYONE the same the way the Lord treats us.
Sisters I’m praying for all of you even though I’m behind on my reading of comments. ERB and others keep the research coming really enjoy it.
For anyone who wants to do a chronological study of the Bible, Bible Gateway has both one you can do on your own and a daily one. You can do it online or you can get it in print. That’s what I have been doing with a friend. It is so interesting.
Sisters have a blessed week and those here in the USA have a nice holiday.
Thanks for sharing, Penny!
In Jen’s devotional this morning, she laid it all out there, “Obedience to the Lord requires unequivocal commitment and a total rejection of sin.” Sometimes I think it won’t matter if I watch a particular movie or pick up a questionable book, but God is showing me that I need to purge all sin from my life. I need to make better choices on what goes into my mind so that what comes out is honorable and just.
Praying for Danny alongside the intercessors. The Lord granted many mercies to my uncle who had a heart transplant in his 50s. He’s living full on as a farmer yet now – 15 years later. May the Lord’s mercy abound in our midst ! May we stay on guard and not be deceived by evil!
Blessings.
I found the Enduring Word commentary (enduringword.com) to be helpful with the Matthew 5 passage. He says, “The Mosaic law did teach an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Exodus 21:24). But over time religious teachers moved this command out of its proper sphere (a principle limiting retribution for the civil government) and put it in the wrong sphere (as an obligation in personal relationships).” And later, “It is also wrong to think Jesus means that there is no place for punishment or retribution in society. Jesus here speaks to personal relationships, and not to the proper functions of government in restraining evil (Romans 13:1-4). I must turn my cheek when I am personally insulted [a slap on the face is probably better understood as an insult rather than a physical attack], but the government has a responsibility to restrain the evil man from physical assault.” The scribes we’re always putting their spin on the law, and Jesus was setting them straight.
NADS, I was up all throughout the night last night PRAYING a for Danny!!! I will continue to pray and really appreciate you keeping us updated!!! Praying for God to move in miraculous ways and that his wife’s presence will make a difference!!! ❤️❤️
I haven’t read the scriptures from today’s reading yet… and this is a little off-topic… but TODAY marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah)!! …I always take this day & this time to recognize all that God has done and will continue to do. So I wanted to wish YOU all a very blessed, happy and Christ-filled Rosh Hashanah!! …This Holiday begins this evening (September 6th) and ends Wednesday evening (September 8th) 2021. Here is a little history about it:
Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning “head [of] the year”, is the Jewish New Year. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah, literally “day of shouting or blasting.” It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days. Rosh Hashanah begins the leadup to Yom Kippur, some of the holiest days in the Hebrew year (known as “Days of Awe”). Rosh Hashanah celebrates God’s creation of mankind. It is a time of inner renewal and divine atonement. Shana Tovah = Good Year. It is the shortened greeting for Rosh Hashanah. It’s cut down from the full, traditional greeting of ‘L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem’, which means ‘may you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.’
Here’s to a ‘Good Year’ for all of us!! May we be inwardly renewed, inscribed and sealed, and may we recognize God in all that we do and are!! Amen!! Shana Tovah and Many Blessings dear sisters!! Xoxo
Hi All,
I’m repeating / updating my HUGE PRAYER REQUEST from yesterday (Thank you SEARCHING):
My friend (a father of a physically- challenged 7 year old) has gone through so many health issues for YEARS! Saturday, he had a full HEART TRANSPLANT!!!
He needs heavy-duty prayers, PLEASE! There were some serious hiccups with the surgery resulting in low oxygen to the brain for 10 minutes and other organ issues that made him go back to the OR again…he is/was on life support and we are praying for his brain and organs. This morning, after delaying, they started to withdraw sedation… he opened his eyes but, COULDN’T follow simple commands :( His wife is headed to hospital to see if her presence will make any difference.
His name is Danny and I have sent the family a depiction of Daniel in the lion’s den looking to God…my sisters, please join me in praying for Danny’s whole family to the God of the Impossible.
Nads, Praying for Danny, and his daughter. So thankful we have a God who is Big enough for all of the heavy things. Searching thank you for your prayers. I am feeling a little better this morning. Kristin Schroeder, if you are still out there, please let us know how you are and how Derek is. Thinking of and praying for you. Martha Hix, praying you continue to feel His love around you and your family. And for you all dear Sisters, His love never fails. Never. Lean in to the arms of our God.
So much in God’s word Sisters. This weekend our message was on Sabbath and how God invites us into His rest so that we can discern His voice. So appreciated what ERB wrote yesterday concerning this which added to what my Pastor said, with all the voices speaking to us we need to be able to discern God’s voice. Lord help us to know your voice, our Shepherd, and listen to your direction only. May we draw so near that we cannot be deceived by an imitation. I pray in Jesus name. Amen. WEB, I finally saw your message on Saturday, which you posted almost right after mine, and yesterday. I have not received the post from SRT yet. But will watch for it. Or, you can see the first initial of my name, and robin and 7542 with the most popular email carrier. Should work. Thanks again dear friend for all you are doing for me.
MAURA, I got your message from yesterday, this morning, and have already reached out to my Coloradan friends. They want to help you and are keeping their ears open and to the ground. I will let you know as soon as I hear from them!! Know that I am praying for God to open doors!! Much love and blessings to you dear friend!! Xoxo
I need to watch for the little subtle things I give a “pass” to because it gives a crack for the enemy to use to gain footholds in my life. This includes being unjust or unfair with others for it leads to discord.
“Failure to be just and fair destroys community. But conversely, fair treatment and right action create an environment of peace and safety where humans can thrive, which is precisely what God wants for His people. When we get it right; when we treat our family and friends and communities fairly and justly, we model His peace and safety in our relationships.”
–Daniel Mangrum
Lord, help me to be in Your will and to stay on guard against things creeping into my life that should not be there. I pray for wisdom as there is so much in our world now that is in direct opposition to You and Your word, that my faith will be strong and that others will see You through what I say and do.
MAURA – hope you are feeling better today, praying for you and for your housing.
NADS – praying for Danny and family
MARTHA HIX – continuing to pray for you and your family
VICTORIA E – happy to hear your good reports and will continue to pray for you and your little one