As I have continued to read through to the end of Numbers, the Israelites keep wandering in the wilderness. In Chapters 34-36, God gives instruction to Moses on how He wants to divide or assign Canaan. God continues to give the Israelites detailed instruction and clear direction.
As we continue to read in Deuteronomy, Moses talks to the new generation who would possess the Land of Promise, those who survived the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Throughout the first 16 chapters, God keeps reminding the Israelites and us about His goodness to His people. In Deuteronomy 1:30, God reminds the Israelites that He would fight on their behalf, just as He did in Egypt right before their eyes. We must never forget that the Lord is not only with us, but He also prepares our way and gives us success.
As the Israelites continue to wander in the wilderness we see how much God is in control and how much He directs the Israelites, sometimes in battle but also in peace (Deuteronomy 2:26-27). Here is an excerpt from Charles Stanley’s Life Principles Bible that I really agree with:
“Moses asked God to reconsider allowing him to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:6-12), but the Lord had been clear – the answer was no. The Bible teaches us to keep on praying and not to give up (Luke 18:1-7). Yet we need to be careful that we aren’t trying to manipulate God with our prayers because that just shows that our heart isn’t submissive to Him. When the Lord tells us it is time to stop asking for a particular thing, we must respond as Jesus did, ‘Not My will, but Yours be done’ (Luke 22:42). Anything else is disobedience.”
In Deuteronomy 4:20-24 Moses tells the people of God’s plans for him and warns them not to forget the covenant of the Lord and not to worship any other gods besides Him. “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24).
I found it very interesting how Moses repeated the Ten Commandment in chapter 5. I would encourage you to go back again and read that chapter. Look again at verse 33, “You shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you.”
As I continued to read in Deuteronomy 8:18-19 I was reminded of God’s provisions for me and also His justice. I have really enjoyed the first 16 chapters of Deuteronomy and am looking forward to reading it to the end. I hope and pray that God shows you amazing things in this book also.
It has been awesome to read through Romans again. It is so encouraging, challenging, and convicting all at the same time. In the last two chapters of Romans, Paul continues to encourage us to strive together in prayer (Romans 15:30) and that our growth comes down to our willing submission to our Lord.
Galatians may have been the first book that Paul had written. He wrote the book to churches in Galatia. Paul was concerned about the believers that were deserting the faith (Galatians 1:6). Many of the believers forgot that salvation was by God’s grace and not by works. He brings that thought up again in Galatians 2:16, 20.
He begins chapter 3 by calling them foolish Galatians and continues to unpack the fact that salvation is by grace through faith. It was good to read Galatians 4:9 again as it is a quick reminder of how vulnerable I can be and to be very careful so I am not enslaved all over again. Paul’s letter to the Galatians could be written to us here at First Baptist Church Lloydminster. I love his direction and encouragement in 5:1: “Keep standing firm.”
I would like to conclude my thoughts with 5:13, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
-Kenton Giesbrecht
(Director of Outreach)