Rescued

AUG 20  / Sunday – Read Psalm 50:9-10, 13-15

Overview: While we may be the sheep of God’s flock, we are not the cattle of God’s hills. So what does God want from us? (hint: not your cows.)

21 / Mon – The yokes on you  |  Read Matt 11:29-30 / Matt 28:20b

An ox was often used to pull a cart. With heavier loads, you might need to use two but they had to be both going in the same direction. The solution was a yoke. Usually a younger ox would be yoked to a more experienced one. This is the invitation that Jesus offers. What do you gain by being yoked with Jesus? Note: in New Testament times, a rabbi’s teaching was also called a yoke. How does this expand the meaning of Jesus’ words? What application could this have for you right now?

22 / Tue – Chewing the cud  |  Read Josh 1:8 / Ps 1:2 / Ps 119:15-16, 48, 97-99, 147-148

A cow has four chambers in its stomach to process otherwise difficult-to-digest food which is swallowed and stored in the largest section. Later it is regurgitated a little at a time, chewed and then re-swallowed, moving into other parts of the stomach for processing nutrients. You read the Bible, you may study it and even memorize important verses but how often do you meditate on it? (Note: the third chamber omasum is also called psalterium which is Latin for psalter – a book of the Psalms – earning it the nickname bible.) Why not start by meditating on your favorite psalm?

23 / Wed – Cattle = wealth  |  Read Gen 25:29-34 / Gen 27:30-35 / Gen 28:20-22 / Gen 33:8-11

In Old Testament times and in some parts of the world today, the larger your herd, the wealthier you were considered. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were seen as wealthy men because God blessed and prospered their herds. But they didn’t start out that way. For example, Jacob’s trickery forced him to run for his life, leaving everything behind. Yet he repented and kept his commitment so God blessed his herds, allowing him to return home to make physical restitution to the brother he had wronged. How does God want you to use the ‘wealth’ he has given you?

24 / Thu – Losing your ‘cattle’  |  Read Job 1:1-3, 6-22 and 42:12-17 / Habakkuk 3:17-19

Job had a large family, was rich in livestock and highly respected by all who knew him. Then he lost it all. Did he blame God as we might be tempted to do? See his reaction in 1:20-22 and 2:9-10? If you were to lose everything as he did, how would you respond? Habakkuk planned his response in advance. Think about what you fear losing the most. Insert those into Habukkuk’s declaration and make it your own. How might this help when you are tempted to blame God for trouble?

25 / Fri – What God does and doesn’t want  |  Read Ps 50:9-10 / Amos 5:4 / Micah 6:6-8

Sacrificing cattle was common in ancient times as a way to gain favor from the gods. In Exodus, the Lord God also instituted sacrifices for a different reason: to teach His people that sin is costly and forgiveness was not free. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, sin has been covered once and for all but God still wants sacrifices…of a different kind. You may find these difficult to make, like choosing gratitude instead of grumbling, seeking Him when you don’t feel like it, putting others first, or working for justice when nothing seems to change. What are your greatest sacrifices?

26 / Sat – Revisiting the yoke  |  Read Deut 22:10 / 2 Cor 6:14-16

Paul talked to the Corinthian believers about yokes. How does that expound on God’s practical instructions in Deuteronomy? What does it mean in your life to be unequally yoked? Are there some friendships that need to change? Some partnerships that need to be dissolved? Priorities that need to be re-ordered? Ask the Holy Spirit to identify any ‘yokes’ in your life that are eroding your most important connection, being yoked with Jesus.