Anchor My Faith

God’s Sovereign Guidance, Kingdom Ethics, Universal Blessing, and the Pursuit of Good

Old Testament Reading

Deuteronomy 2:1–3:29 — God Directs Israel’s Journey and Grants Victory

Overview:
Moses recounts Israel’s wilderness journey, emphasizing God’s sovereign direction in their movements and victories. Israel is instructed not to contend with certain nations because God has allotted their lands, but they are given victory over Sihon and Og as part of God’s promise. The passage highlights God’s faithfulness in preserving Israel, providing for them, and granting them land east of the Jordan. It concludes with Moses viewing the Promised Land from afar, reminding the people of both God’s justice and His covenant faithfulness.

Theological Themes:
• God’s sovereign control over nations and boundaries
• Faithfulness to covenant promises
• Obedience to divine instruction

Key Verse:
Deuteronomy 2:7 – “For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What does this passage teach about God’s sovereignty over nations?
   Answer: God determines the boundaries and inheritances of all peoples, not just Israel. By commanding Israel not to attack Edom, Moab, and Ammon, God reveals that He rules over all nations and distributes land according to His purposes, demonstrating His universal authority.
2. Why were Israel’s victories over Sihon and Og significant?
   Answer: These victories confirmed God’s promise to give Israel the land and demonstrated His power to defeat formidable enemies. They strengthened Israel’s faith as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
3. What lesson is learned from Moses not entering the Promised Land?
   Answer: God is both merciful and just. While He fulfills His promises to His people, He also holds leaders accountable for disobedience, reminding believers of the seriousness of honoring God’s commands.

New Testament Reading

Luke 6:12–38 — Jesus Calls His Apostles and Teaches Kingdom Living

Overview:
Jesus spends the night in prayer before selecting His twelve apostles, demonstrating dependence on the Father. He then teaches a large crowd about kingdom values, including blessings and woes, love for enemies, mercy, and generosity. The passage contrasts worldly thinking with kingdom ethics, calling followers to radical love, humility, and trust in God’s justice and provision.

Theological Themes:
• The importance of prayer and divine calling
• Radical love and mercy in the kingdom of God
• The principle of sowing and reaping

Key Verse:
Luke 6:36 – “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

What does “give, and it will be given to you” teach about generosity?
Answer: It reveals a spiritual principle that God honors generosity. While not always material, God blesses those who give with a measure that reflects His abundant grace.

Why did Jesus pray before choosing the apostles?
Answer: Jesus modeled complete dependence on the Father, showing that spiritual decisions should be grounded in prayer and alignment with God’s will.

What makes loving enemies a distinct kingdom principle?
Answer: Loving enemies goes beyond natural human behavior and reflects God’s character. It demonstrates grace, mercy, and trust in God’s justice rather than personal retaliation.

Psalms Reading

Psalm 67:1–7 — A Prayer for God’s Blessing to Reach All Nations

Overview:
This psalm is a prayer for God’s blessing, not for Israel alone, but so that all nations may know Him. It connects God’s favor with His global mission, emphasizing that His salvation and righteous rule are meant to be proclaimed among all peoples. The psalm celebrates God’s justice and calls all the earth to worship Him.

Theological Themes:
• God’s blessing as a means for global witness
• The universality of God’s salvation
• Joyful worship of all nations

Key Verse:
Psalm 67:2 – “That your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

How should this psalm shape a believer’s perspective on blessing?
Answer: Believers should view God’s blessings as opportunities to reflect His glory and share His truth with others, aligning personal blessing with God’s mission.

Why does the psalmist ask for God’s blessing?
Answer: The blessing is requested so that God’s ways and salvation will be known among all nations, showing that blessing is tied to mission, not merely personal benefit.

What does this psalm reveal about God’s heart for the nations?
Answer: It shows that God desires all peoples to know Him, rejoice in Him, and worship Him, emphasizing His global redemptive plan.

Proverbs Reading

Proverbs 11:27 — The Reward of Seeking Good

Overview:
This proverb contrasts those who diligently seek good with those who pursue evil. It teaches that intentional pursuit of righteousness leads to favor, while seeking harm results in negative consequences. The verse highlights the moral principle that one’s intentions and actions shape their outcomes.

Theological Themes:
• The moral law of sowing and reaping
• The pursuit of righteousness
• Consequences of intentional choices

Key Verse:
Proverbs 11:27 – “Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What does it mean to diligently seek good?
   Answer: It involves intentional effort to pursue righteousness, kindness, and actions that honor God, not passively but with deliberate commitment.
2. How does this proverb reflect the principle of sowing and reaping?
   Answer: It teaches that what a person pursues will shape their outcome; seeking good leads to favor, while pursuing evil leads to harm.
3. How can this verse be applied in daily life?
   Answer: Believers are called to actively choose what is good in their thoughts, actions, and decisions, trusting that God honors those who pursue righteousness.