Moses continues his introductions by remembering some important battles.
Please read Deuteronomy chapter 3:1-11.
Moses begins by recounting some of the battles they fought and won. He tells of how mighty the warriors were, how fortified their cities, and how “utterly destroyed” they were because God was with the Israelites.
Why do you think Moses reminds them of these stories?
Can you think of a “battle” the LORD has helped you fight in life? Explain.
Do you take the time to remember what God has done in your life? Why or why not?
What would be the benefit of remembering?
I have a friend who has a prayer journal. Each day she writes down people and situations she has prayed for and what they needed. When the prayer is answered, she goes back and crosses it off with a little note of how it was answered. It has been very rewarding for her to physically see how many prayers God has answered in her life.
I have another friend who has a jar of rocks. Each rock has something written on it, something that reminds her of the things God has done in her life. It is a memorial of God’s work. When she needs to be reminded, she dumps out the rocks and reads through them. It builds her up, strengthens her. This physical reminder gives courage and reassurance when she needs it.
Wouldn’t it be a good thing to stop and remember what God has done in our lives? The river of life buries our memories on the bottom as the current of daily activities rushes over. Taking the time to pick up those moments, bring them into the light, and roll them around in our minds would be so fortifying. Maybe He has helped you defeat big giants like King Og, with his 13 ½ X 6 foot coffin. Remembering that would make the little thing in front of you seem like nothing.
What can you do to remember the battles God has fought and won for you?
Read Deuteronomy 3:12-22.
This section is a summary of what happened in Numbers 32. Before they even entered the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben and Gad saw the lush lands good for livestock west of the Jordan and petitioned God for the lands there instead in the Promised Land. They had lots of livestock and thought this land looked great. God agreed to this petition, but made them promise to go and fight first, then they could return to this land.
Don’t you find it strange that they hadn’t even seen what was in the Promised Land, the land flowing with milk and honey, the good land the LORD was giving them, and they were okay to settle outside the land? It reminds me of what C.S. Lewis says: “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Isn’t that the truth? We are far too easily pleased! God has good things for us but we are impatient and settle for the first thing we see that looks like something we might want. We settle outside His promises for us.
Have you ever settled for less than you know God has for you? Explain.
If you are in a situation right now where you might be tempted to settle for less, pray and ask God for guidance and understanding of what He has for you.
Read Deuteronomy 3: 23-29.
The contrast here is interesting. The tribes of Reuben and Gad stayed outside the Promised Land by choice, settling for less than God had for them. Moses stayed outside because of submission to God’s will. He followed the LORD’s will for him. Moses obviously wanted to go into the Promised Land. He pleaded with the LORD, but God said no. He did allow Moses to go up on the mountain and look into the land, but made it clear that Joshua would lead them the rest of the way.
Can you imagine being in Moses’ shoes? Oh, the longing he must have felt. But, He did not try to disobey. He accepted it. He was a humble man. Humility before God is being able to accept and follow His word, submission, if you will. Sometimes submission comes in the form of doing something you don’t want to do. Sometimes it is not doing something you do want to do. Either way, submission to God’s will is often difficult, but always a blessing in the end.
Why do you think Moses submitted to the LORD’s plan?
Years ago, I had a situation in my life that had me on my knees, crying in prayer. It was by far the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to walk through. Day after day I went to the Lord in prayer begging for relief. One day, I just decided I would stay put until I got an answer to my pleas. I don’t know how long I sat in prayer, going through my Bible, reading out verses to the Lord, things He had promised to do in His word, but at some point, I knew He heard me. There was a sense of peace, a sense of He was going to work it out, a sense of get up and go because it is done. I walked away with that peace that passes understanding.
Let me just say, it got worse before it got better, and it is still not resolved. But, I have peace about it. I know the Lord is working on it. I may not ever see the finished product this side of heaven, but it is coming. Why did Moses obey the LORD’s command to not go? Because he and the LORD had worked it out. He had that peace that passes understanding. Even though Moses longed and pleaded for it, He knew that God was in control, and Moses was good with that.
Is there an area of your life in which you need to submit to the LORD’s plan?
Find time to pray and work it out with the LORD. He will give you the peace that allows you to be in one accord with Him.
CHARACTER OF GOD: God’s plans prevail
CHALLENGE: Identify areas of your life where you need to submit to the LORD’s will. Work this out with the Lord by prayer and through His word.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.