March 20 - Deuteronomy 29:2-31:29

Good morning everyone,

As we read chapter 29 this morning, we were reminded of how God has taken such good care of His children, the Israelites, who are so dear to His heart; how he has shown them miraculous signs and wonders over the last forty years, beginning with Pharaoh and the exodus all the way up to conquering the the lands of Hesbon and Bashan to give to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh. He clothed them with clothes and sandals that did not wear out, and food from heaven. Their every need was met but as the children of Israel were prone to do, the complained and murmured about it all. Over and over God reminds the Israelites that if they obey His commands they will prosper but …. but if they don’t disaster will fall upon them. 

It gave me pause to think of what we as parents go through with our own children. How from the time they are born we provide for them, guide them and do our best to encourage them preparing them for the time they will have to stand on their own, hoping that the choices they make will be smart ones. We will say to them things like,”don’t drink and drive”, “if you don’t do your homework you can not go out this weekend” or “if you don’t leave your sister alone you’ll go to your room” “if you eat your dinner you can have ice cream”, the point being there is always, whether good or bad a consequence of choice. Just as we want our kids to do well, God so wanted for His people to prosper, He totally wanted them to “get it” and not have to suffer the result of disobedience.

Chapter 30:19-20 says “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life.” This is the plea of every parent, “choose life” so that you may live. Oh my word! Can’t you just feel the love in His heart, see the desire in His eyes for His precious children, not just those that could hear that day but everyone for generations to follow, begging us to choose life, follow Jesus, know the truth the light and the way. He loves us! He wants us to know His peace, and receive the full measure of His blessings.

Then in chapter 31 says “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Is that a super great promise, or what!? I am here to tell you that the enemy thrives on fear. He will eat you up, piece by piece if you allow yourself to live in fear. There is NO fear in the Lord, God is all about faith, we are to embrace that faith and hang on to it with all our might especially when it does not make sense to us. God has a plan, His plan is perfect we just need to believe in it.

Oh just one more thing, in 31:29 it says The Lord gave the command to Joshua “Be strong and courageous” at first I thought “how awesome and how terrifying all at the same time it would be to have the Lord right there saying to your face “be strong and courageous”” it was then the Lord very clearly reminded me that He IS right there in front of me, in front of you, all of us hearing our every word, and direction our every move if only we would but listen and heed to Him. Be strong in the Lord! What a great promise and comfort to have. Amen?

I pray you have a great day today, to God our Abba Father be all the glory.

God bless you all …