And all Israel with their elders, officers, and their judges were standing on both sides of the ark before the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, the stranger as well as the native. Half of them stood in front of Mount Gerizim, and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of the Lord had commanded at first to bless the people of Israel.

 

Any group that spends much time together is usually connected by a common thread. The members of the group may work together, may have been college buddies, or could be family members. In today’s text, after all the victory and the worship and sacrifice to God, the people of God reminded themselves of the One who held them together. The common thread was their identity as God’s people. When we look around at our church or small group, what is the thing that ties us together? What is the most important thing we have in common? It is our identity in Christ! This is why we gather for times in the Word in small groups, retreats, and church services. Every time we come together to worship and be in God’s Word, we anchor ourselves in the purpose for the life we share, lived for His glory!

 

When a family gets lost in activity, their bond as a unit can be challenged as they become more like passing ships rather than a team working together. The same can happen in our faith when we focus only on our ministry for God. The Israelites did not use the momentum from their victory to go for another battle and fill their lives with activity. They came together to remind themselves of the One who brought them together, was with them in the battle, and would be with them in the battles to come. We too must regularly seek to join together around the Word, as the body of Christ, holding fast to the common thread we have in Him.

 

  • How much do you value time in the Word with the body of Christ? Why?
  • What can help you remember the common thread you have with others in Christ?
  • Pray and ask God to keep you mindful of the common thread you share with others in Him.