Heart circumcision
Day 551, Friday, Feb. 13
Romans 2:17-29
Paul believes that gentiles who follow Jesus are incorporated into the true people of Israel. While it was physical circumcision that bore witness to being part of Israel under the old covenant, it is an inward, spiritual circumcision that brings people in under the new covenant. “A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.”
A recurring question throughout Paul’s letters is how much the gentile believers are required to follow the Jewish law. As we read on Wednesday, it is clear that Paul considers some of the prohibitions laid out in the Old Testament to be binding for gentile believers.
He is more flexible on the ceremonial aspects of the law, including dietary restrictions and circumcision.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Friday meditation

Psalms 78:21-39
When the Lord heard them, he was furious; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel, for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance. Yet he gave a command to the skies above and opened the doors of the heavens; he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Human beings ate the bread of angels; he sent them all the food they could eat. He let loose the east wind from the heavens and by his power made the south wind blow. He rained meat down on them like dust, birds like sand on the seashore. He made them come down inside their camp, all around their tents. They ate till they were gorged—he had given them what they craved. But before they turned from what they craved, even while the food was still in their mouths, God’s anger rose against them; he put to death the sturdiest among them, cutting down the young men of Israel.
In spite of all this, they kept on sinning; in spite of his wonders, they did not believe. So he ended their days in futility and their years in terror. Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again. They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant. Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.

Prayer focus
Reshape us into your people, God.