GOD’S MIGHTY ACTS

Then we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our misery, toil and oppression.  So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders.  (Deuteronomy 26: 7-8)
The book of Deuteronomy Chapter 26 is theologically titled “Liturgies for Covenant Renewal”, and it is divided into three segments.

Verses 1-11 –  A liturgy for first fruits

Verses 12-15-  A liturgy for the Tithe

Verses 16-19  –  A liturgical summary of the Meaning of the covenant.

For this, the first part of these three segments will be explored. The liturgy begins with the offering of ‘some of the first of all the first of the ground which you harvest from your land; as a gratitude for the place and space (Deuteronomy 26: 2 – 3).

The second part of the liturgy of first fruits is an affirmation of faith. It is a gratitude to God for His amazing grace (Deuteronomy 26: 4 – 9). Some people called it Israel’s earliest Creed. Before bowing down to offer the first fruit (verse 10), or rejoicing in the bounty of the land (verse 11), the worshippers recall God’s love and power in bringing His rebellious people to a place of their own. The liturgical words give a series of “once…but now” contrasts, similar to the words of the hymn Amazing Grace. “I once was lost but now am found”.

• Once we were homeless and landless like Jacob, but now we live in a beautiful land of our own (Deuteronomy 26: 5).

• Once we were aliens in a strange land but now we live in a place of our own and can welcome strangers into our community (Deuteronomy 26: 5, 11).

• Once we were few in number but now we are ‘a great nation, mighty and populous’ (Deut. 26: 5; Deut. 4: 7; 7: 7).

• Once we were slaves, but now we are free (Deut. 26: 6).

• Once we were helpless but when we cried to the Lord, He heard our voice… saw our affliction… brought us out … with a mighty hand … brought us into this place, and hath given us this land… (Deut. 26: 7 -9).

Beloved, how relevant is this “once… but now” to you?. You can start to list out in your own words, your experiences and testimonies in connection with the mighty acts of God, in your entire life. For example:

• Once, I was unemployed… but now, I am an employer.

• Once, I was landless;… but now, I am a landlord etc.

You can add up to the list, it is unending.

The words “once… but now” in this statement of faith give hope to future generations. God who saw the landless, oppressed people and gave them land of their own, would gather the landless exiles in Babylon and bring them back to their own land again (Deuteronomy 30: 1 – 5).

As you go out in this new week, may the mighty God win all your battles; may He make way for you where there seems to be no way. Where you have been told “you have been done with”, may the Lord arise and put the enemy to shame. Wherever you have been told “you are finished”, the Lord will appear in His mercy and do wonders for you. Amen.

Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon