In the ancient world, families stuck together in clans, clans in tribes and tribes formed nations, mainly for practical reasons. The main benefit for the unification of peoples in one place was that it enabled them to better protect themselves. The tribes of Israel may have stuck together for this reason, but God wanted them to be unified by something deeper than a mutual desire for protection and prosperity. He wanted them to be unified in their relationship with him. It was for this reason that God commanded the centralisation of the worship of the twelve tribes. Coming together with other people to express a commitment to God is a powerful and vital gesture. We are community-creatures and therefore the most important things in life are strengthened when they are expressed in the context of community. One burning stick will burn for a little while but a pile of burning sticks will burn for a long time and radiate a large amount of heat. That is how it works with faith. One small burning stick can be extinguished by the wind. But a combination of sticks in a fire is fuelled by the wind and flares up to greater strength. That is why God wanted his people to come together in one central place for worship: so that the opposition that would otherwise extinguish their faith would instead galvanise them as a people and strengthen their faith. Make sure you never walk alone. Be a part of a church where you worship and contribute together with others.
Make the most of every opportunity this week to gather with other people to strengthen your faith.
Read Deuteronomy 12
