April 9

Deuteronomy 33:1-29, Luke 13:1-21, Psalm 78:65-72, Proverbs 12:25

Pray: We all have different “tribes” in our lives. A “tribe” is a group of people bound together by a certain identity shared in common. For example, you may have a “tribe” of people you shared high school with, that you currently work with, or that you have been in a life group with. Think through at least 3-5 of your “tribes” and pray a blessing over them. Pray for their lives, their walk with Jesus, and their legacy as Moses models by praying a blessing one-by-one over each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Read: Ultimately, a desire for others and for yourself is to live a fruitful life for Jesus. But what does it look like to live a fruitful life? Look closely at Moses, Jesus, and David’s desire and example for us in today’s reading.

Edify: In Psalm 78, David was “chosen” by God to be His shepherd over God’s people. The Psalm says that David “cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands” (v.72). David was fruitful in the calling God had prepared him for. Further, Moses acknowledges characteristics, strengths, and preferred futures of each tribe. To shepherd means to call out the gifts in others so that lives may be fruitful in a way that participates in what God is doing in the world throughout the generations. This is why Jesus had such strong words for the Pharisees who were oppressive and even hypocritical in their expectations of others during the Sabbath. Jesus did not see any fruit of the Kingdom in their lives, so they were leading others away from God rather than towards Him. Wherever they went, they did not leave peace, joy, kindness, love, etc. in their wake. Jesus courageously models restoration, and shows them all just how “barren” and fruitless their lives had become.

Practice: God has called you to give far more than frivolous compliments today although “an encouraging word does cheer a person up” (Proverbs 12:25b). Prepare yourself prayerfully to call out the giftedness in someone who is a part of one of your tribes today. Bless them by affirming what God has done in and through their lives. Then call them to more fruit through that gift. Speak boldly today, even if to one person you regularly interact with.