God of promise and faithfulness, I acknowledge you as my God and you have accepted me as your child. Teach me your ways and help me to keep your laws. Amen.

Deuteronomy 26:16—27:10 (Good News Translation) Come Together in Faith and Learn of God’s Mercy and Care Introduction Deuteronomy 26:16—27:10: Moses reminds the Israelites that they are to keep all God’s laws and that they are the LORD’s own people. He describes a ceremony for renewing the agreement that the LORD made with Israel at Mount Sinai and tells the people that this ceremony is to take place at Mount Ebal after the people cross the Jordan River. Today’s Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:18 “Today the LORD has accepted you as his own people, as he promised you; and he commands you to obey all his laws.” Today’s Reading 16 Today the LORD your God commands you to obey all his laws; so obey them faithfully with all your heart. 17 Today you have acknowledged the LORD as your God; you have promised to obey him, to keep all his laws, and to do all that he commands. 18 Today the LORD has accepted you as his own people, as he promised you; and he commands you to obey all his laws. 19 He will make you greater than any other nation that he has created, and you will bring praise and honor to his name. You will be his own people, as he promised. ” 1 Then Moses, together with the leaders of Israel, said to the people, “Obey all the instructions that I am giving you today. 2 On the day you cross the Jordan River and enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are to set up some large stones, cover them with plaster, 3 and write on them all these laws and teachings. When you have entered the rich and fertile land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you, 4 and you are on the other side of the Jordan, set up these stones on Mount Ebal, as I am instructing you today, and cover them with plaster. 5 Build an altar there made of stones that have had no iron tools used on them, 6 because any altar you build for the LORD your God must be made of uncut stones. There you are to offer the sacrifices that are to be burned, 7 and there you are to sacrifice and eat your fellowship offerings and be grateful in the presence of the LORD your God. 8 On the stones covered with plaster write clearly every word of God's laws. ” 9 Then Moses, together with the levitical priests, said to all the people of Israel, “Give me your attention, people of Israel, and listen to me. Today you have become the people of the LORD your God; 10 so obey him and keep all his laws that I am giving you today. ” Reflect What is the relationship between God and the Israelites? What do the people promise? What does God promise? Have you made any promises to God?