March 12 "God Fights For You" Deuteronomy 3-4

The Defeat of King Og is just huge. And no survivors. The Israelites conquered 60 cities with high walls and gates and bars, whole kingdoms. (And I think teaching and housework is hard work.)  These people led a massacre out of a wilderness, destroying every city, men, women, children. Deut 3:6. All the while, Moses is commanding Joshua: ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. So will the Lord do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’ 

And humble, honest Moses goes to God "pleading with the LORD at that time, saying, 'O Lord God, You have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. ... Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and Lebanon." There it is---Moses does struggle with this---and he will struggle well! It is the desires of Moses' heart, forefront and foaming and flailing. And our God's response: "Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again. Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and look at it with your eyes, you shall not cross over." Deut 3:26-27. No, Moses, just strengthen and encourage Joshua. That's your calling.

So, Moses did. And he encouraged every one of us for the next 2,000+ years. Maybe your foot didn't touch that ground but your heart, Moses, went on to touch millions when you said t.h.i.s.---
"Take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children"—OH!! Moses, we will, we have, we long to do these words of life. "For the LORD has taken us and brought us out of the iron furnace." Deut 4:20

COME BOLDLY: Timeless Prayers

Father, whatever it is we are up against this day, whatever our families face, may we truly see what You have done for us and know deeply that You fight for us this day.

PHOTO:  Standing on a hill lifting up eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward in the Hill Country, as far as I can see, and I hear my God saying to me:  This is the place where I have planted you.  Be at rest.  Live a quiet life of trust before Me.  Yes, LORD.