Here is Moses' final sermons to a presumptuous crowd. Wonder how Moses felt leading several generations through four decades with paltry success. He may have spoken words from a tired body next to an acacia tree in that new place. Acacia wood used in Tabernacles and Crowns of Thorns. Acacia Trees: a symbol of endurance of soul. Millions wandering 40 years in close quarters, measuring just a few hundred miles. Truly, did not the Israelites want a better life more than they wanted to find God and love Him in a wilderness? Something in me rises up when I know it is someone's final words. What does he first say? Moses reminds the Israelites of their potential 11-day journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea that took 40 years through the smell of a very familiar and terrible wilderness. They were always very close to Canaan. Close---it's a word we toss around. We may be very close to knowing God but it will not get us into Eternity. Why did they presume and distrust Him so? Why! We are we bent that way, too! What did they do for 40 years with their unbelieving hearts?
They were not willing to go up to Canaan. They said, "the Lord hates us" (Deut 1:27) and has left us here. Just this very day, I wondered why God had left me where I am. I know it is for Good but I cannot figure it out---I just must trust! And I say that s-l-o-w-l-y. Surrender. There's a bigger Plan than what I know. Divide up all your past years and take a look at the Goodness of God. What has He done for you? And God reminds me through Deut 1:30-31 ~ "The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place. And for all of this... will we trust or live presumptuously (1:43).
A timely reminder for us today! Mike and I were just discussing where we think God is leading us. The important thing is not where we are going, but that we follow Him in faith.
ReplyDeleteLike the Israelites, we have been wandering in our own wilderness, hoping things will get better, and eaiser. That isn't always what God intends for us. He has already sent the Holy Spirit to light the way, to guide us. The next test is to conquer the obstacles that stand in the way.
Jan, I just shake my head when I read your heart. You are so responsive to God and what He is saying. May He hem you and Mike in behind as He pushes you forward. Psalm 139:5. Love!
DeleteCan you hear the weariness in Moses's words? Still faithful, but full of sadness that none but two will see the Promised Land they set out for so long before. Thirty-eight years of wilderness walking, of sinning, repenting, returning. Moses, with his final words of advice, warning, longing, loving the ones he'd led.
ReplyDeleteWe got some scary, tragic news this week about one of our guys at the ranch. He works during the week for us and is a pastor on Sundays. He has a brain tumor. We want desperately to sweep him up and bring him to MDAnderson, but we must pray and wait and trust that He is in Good Hands and God will see him through.
The Lord will fight on your behalf. Will we trust Him? Yes, we will. His wife will. He will. We will because we believe He is more than able. He will fight on Juan's behalf. And He will see him through this journey of a thousand fears too.
You guys love your employees! That means so much! What a word to hear that this pastor and ranch hand will trust. You know that about him. Awww! The LORD LONGS to have compassion on this guy---Isaiah 30:18---the same God who stood at Lazarus' tomb and WEPT knowing that God would raise him from the dead. God enters our pain. May God's Grace be all over this precious man --- may you love him well.
DeleteHow your words struck a chord within me, Bev. Seven years ago I wrote the date by Deut.2:7. Gave me great comfort...it was in January of 2006. Major changes in office staff, some had been there over twenty years...quit us...And then my mother in law finally went so far over mentally that the state committed her to a mental facility for a month. She did come back, not completely but far enough to be released. Was an extremely difficult month, the start of an extremely hard two years,that led us to close the official office and move home and the two of us be the only employees. Anyway, I digressed....2:7 brought comfort to my heart. He had been with me(us) for all of our lives with Him and we had lacked NO good thing. And of course Deut 1:30-31, He had gone before us, and had fought battles for us and He would be with us now, fighting more battles for us. There were many in the short term future, and to this day, Feb 27,2013, He has not failed us once and provided manna in the wilderness. We still go around that mountain of lack of trust in His provision. Yet He remains faithful and is still going before us and providing for us. To see first hand how my husband's faith and trust has grown in Him blesses my socks off. He needs to work it into his testimony. When my Sunday School teacher taught out of this book in January of 06 I wrote at the top of the page of Deut 1..."The book of Deuteronomy breathes obedience". I woke up desiring a verse to send to my son today and looked through some and none grabbed me. Then I opened this site to get the reading for the day and lo and behold...the Spirit said to me...there is your verse for him for this day..Deut.1:30-31. He has faced a major loss in life and I see the Lord growing him before my eyes, which also grows my faith.
ReplyDeleteJust precious words Mary Lou, from your heart. He has carried you and your husband and your son! And look where He has brought you these past 6 years---a place of rest like you never knew then. Beautiful words.
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ReplyDeleteWe've watched Moses faith grow and become strong. He has been in the valley and on the Mountain Top. He displayed anger, strength and courage to say the least. He watched loved ones enter the world and leave the world. He interceded for the people in a mighty way. He took care of civil matters, appointed people to help him. He seems weary now and he begins his final message to the Children of Israel. I've often wondered what that was like for him to speak to the for the last time as well as for them to listen to his final message.
ReplyDeleteI pray before my time on left on earth is a time of following and seeking the Lord. Not running ahead of Him, lagging behind Him, or leaving His ordained path for me completely. I want to react to life in a godly way. I want to walk in love but stand firm on the Gospel.
I stand in total agreement with the last paragraph of your post. Says what my heart has wanted to say and did not know how to put it to words.
DeleteClose to God --- here.
DeleteWalk in Love
Stand firm on the Gospel! Love!!!
Hello Humble Happy Holy Holly,
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful that you changed our blog so that we can reply to each other's comments. It means so much to me that you took the time to serve us in that way. Thank you. I love calling Holly the salutation above but have to reserve it for certain audiences as someone once teased her about it. Holly is not phased by what this world throws at her. She has faced opposition with such grace. God's Compassion is all over that girl! Love her so!
Phased is spelled fazed. Typed it too fast. Being an English teacher, I have to correct myself.
DeleteYes, thanks to Holly for the reply section--enhances and organizes our thoughts and comments beautifully. You are a beautiful heart, Holly.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you, Bev, for being here each day, hovering and overseeing this place with humble stewardship that gives God much glory. Love your sweet soul, Bev.