Prayer: Father, what a topic today. I ask for new insight and understanding of Your Word! Amen.
Reading: Deuteronomy 10 key: vs. 16
16 “Circumcise the foreskin of your heart therefore, and do not be stiff-necked anymore.
Attention: When we think of circumcision, we tend to think of the physical act performed on the male genitalia. However, circumcision is not unique to males, and is performed on females in some cultures. In the Hebrew culture, circumcision was performed on male babies on the eight day after birth. This practice was declared and commanded by Adonai in a covenant with Abraham. It was a sign which declared the Hebrew people were His.
While circumcision is performed today for reasons other than identity with the God of Abraham, Moses declares to the Hebrew nation, “Circumcise the foreskin of your heart.” Have you ever considered what circumcising your heart could mean or look like?
Circumcision like baptism, is the outward sign of an inward devotion to Adonai. What has taken place internally, is expressed by an act (circumcision, baptism, or communion) outwardly.
The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary expands on the concept of circumcision as devotion to God by declaring, “Circumcision of the heart implies total devotion to God (Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4); however, the uncircumcised ear cannot hear so as to respond to the Lord (Jer. 6:10); and the uncircumcised of lips cannot speak (Exod. 6:12). Circumcision was therefore an external sign of an Internal singularity of devotion of Yahweh (pg. 300).”
Are your ears, lips, and heart circumcised? Perhaps this is why we cannot hear God, speak of God, or declare that we love God with all our heart. We have not elected to have the Holy Spirit circumcise those parts of our body and declare them wholly God’s. This is a process of sanctification in the lifetime journey with the Holy Spirit. We become more like God because more or our being becomes wholly devoted to Him. Our thoughts become more anchored in the scriptures and our mind is transformed to His image. Is your mouth more sanctified today than it was yesterday? Are your lips more praise directed than at any time before? Are you more humble today than yesterday? Does your heart love God more today than at anytime before?
Action: I choose the Holy Spirit to circumcise my heart today!
Yield: I choose to yield my heart to Adonai today!
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in communion today!
Relationship: I choose to be in full communion relationship with Adonai today!
Prayer: Father, I love You more today than yesterday! I desire to draw closer to You today than yesterday! I am Yours to use. Amen.
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 10: 20-21
20 Adonai your God you will fear—Him will you serve. To Him will you cling, and by His Name will you swear. 21 He is your praise and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your eyes have seen.
Music Video: Chris McClarney—I’m Listening https://youtu.be/Ef52AmdVwYI
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”