Deuteronomy 1:1-3 - These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the desert east
of the Jordan--that is, in the Arabah--opposite
Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab.
(It takes eleven days to go from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by the Mount Seir road.) In the fortieth year, on
the first day of the eleventh month, Moses proclaimed to the Israelites all that the LORD had commanded him
concerning them.
Knowing his time on Earth was coming to a close….Moses gives
one last speech of God’s goodness and provision to the Israelites poised to
cross the Jordan and receive the great promises of God. It is really more of a story… this first
chapter of Deuteronomy beginning with the camp their fathers had set up at
Mount Sinai….making sure they really understood the rebellious choices their
fathers had made the first time God had brought them to this point.
God had done so many things to preserve these people…..his
mercy evident in the many things he did to save them…feed them….strengthen them
for the battles they would face because of their choices. Moses reminded this mighty nation of the 40
years they were led through the wilderness…and the reason they were given this
time of waiting and training to help them trust completely in God.
I am so glad that Moses took the time to write it all down
again…for his story tells us how important it is to remember the good things
God has done for us……and the tragedies he has brought us through. It is
important for us to review the history of our walk with God…to never forget the
good things he has done…and to also keep in the forefront of our minds the
mistakes and sins he has saved us from.
Sometimes it is hard to remember the past….our hearts
breaking all over again with the guilt of our mistakes…or the pain that God brought
us through in a great loss or tragedy. But the pain reminds us that this world
is not our home…and God has a promise for us on the other side of Jordan. The remembrance of what God saved us from
renews the vow we made to him when we ask him into our heart.
I was so honored to travel to Nashville Tennessee yesterday...and
assist my church in an amazing service to the poor in that great city. Thousands of homeless children and their
parents….and many of the poorest residents of the city...poured into the municipal
auditorium…hoping to receive gifts for Christmas…groceries…a sleeping bag…a toy
for their child. They were treated to more than they expected….a concert….a
mini sermon explaining the plan of salvation…and the opportunity to pray the
sinner’s prayer that might give them hope for their future.
I found myself praying with them…out loud…and renewing my
own commitment to God in that moment.
And as my mind raced through all that he had done for me since I gave
him my life when I was 14….. I realized he had done much more for me than I
ever even thought about doing for him. Just
the thought of that will drive me to be a little more serious about the work he
calls me to do in the next few days…a little more reflective of the great God
he is…and how much he must love me to continue to shower on me his blessings…and
let me tap into his great power and strength to weather any storms brewing in
my path.
Father…I thank you for bringing to my remembrance all that
you have done for me. It is good to feel
your love and cleansing anew this day…it is good to know that you are always
there…ready to guide and catch me when I fall.
Most of all father…it is good to feel your forgiveness…and know that even
in my many mistakes...you will always love me…and totally pardon me …and even
use it to be a message of hope to others.
Help me father to make a few less mistakes in the coming days…to use the
knowledge in your great Bible to strengthen and guide me as I move into the
next season of work for you. Amen.
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