29 Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”
Wow Moses must be so frustrated here! The 12 spies come back holding beautiful and delicious foods, yet they are too scared to face their enemies in a land claimed by God for them! I understand their fear, but I guess this is a lesson we can all take also. It is far better to trust God from the beginning than scare yourself with the possibilities. Common sense is necessary! But God can provide so fully and so greatly.
So I started this bible reading plan a month late, and I finally have caught up! Yay! I have been so blessed thus far by this plan and the SRT community. You are all wonderful :)
7 The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.
Is it just me, or does it seem like this is probably the opposite of what the Israelites felt to be true? I think they felt alone and lacking quite often. They weren’t, we know that, but it seems they felt that way from the way they complained. I’m realizing that I’m in the same place. I’ve dealt with a debilitating chronic illness for the past five years and my journey of healing has felt a lot like a painful, long walk through the desert. I’ve felt alone so often, and often felt in need. Today as I read this verse, I felt the Holy Spirit speak it straight to my heart – from Him to me about my specific situation. Thank you Jesus for opening my eyes to truth, for speaking it tenderly to me. I am not alone or lacking. I never have been, not since the day I asked Him to come into my heart and make me whole. What an amazing truth.
We are never alone, we are never lacking.
What a beautiful song you can sing from a heart that knows pain yet all the more sweetly recognizes His presence and faithfulness through that pain. His gift to you, though at many times I am sure the delivery is unwanted, is that sweetness of His presence and priceless refinement through your trial that you won’t experience any other way. Thank you for sharing. Your faith in the midst of the battle encourages me.
I’m really curious why Jesus would tell people not to speak of the miracles he had just done. Was he afraid of the attention? But he got that no matter what. He was always blessing and healing them in the name of the Lord so why not want people to spread the word that the Massiah was there.
This is something I have always wondered about too. Part of not telling seems to be dependent on where he was at the time of the miracle. When he was in Gentile areas he okay with the word spreading but in Jewish areas he tells people to remain quiet. My study note on Matthew 8:4 says this about why Jesus tells people to keep quiet concerning miracles: “Perhaps for several reasons, 1). Jesus did not want to be considered just a miracle worker, 2). He did not want his teaching ministry hindered by too much publicity being given to his healing miracles, and 3). He did not want his death to come prematurely before he had finished his ministry.
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 (or woman :) carries his/her son…”
Comforting words to me this morning…He always carries us, even when we aren’t aware of it !
I am a first year univeristy student and I have recently decided to change my major to something completely different. This new major is often seen as competitive and has a lot of powerful, successful, and intimidating people taking part in it. However, I know in my heart of hearts that God is encouraging me down this path and that He has something wonderful planned for me. Deuteronomy 1:21 says “See the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” And Deuteronomy 1:28-30 says “Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt in fear. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.’ 29 Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes,”. These verses have really inspired me today and I feel that God is talking to me through these verses. The Israelites are scared of the people they must face because they are “stronger and taller” than they are, but Moses tells them to not be afraid because God has given them the land and that God will be with them. “The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you…”
In my new major, there will be people that are better than me, and that have had more formal training than me. There will be people who have more money than me and therefore able to buy better supplies. But I must remember that if this path is meant for me then God will be with me and He will fight for me. Just because we may not be as “strong and tall” as others, does not mean we should be intimidated by them. We have God, and God has given us gifts that those people who are “stronger and taller” do not have. Praise God! :)
This is so encouraging to see how the Lord is speaking to you through these Old Testament passages. I read today’s passage quickly and moved on but it is so humbling to see how the Lord is using these in your life. Thank you for sharing. As I read your words I just felt a sense of anticipation in all of the fantastic things the Lord has in store for you!
Bethany I loved your post. I too switched my major in hopes of being a therapist. The program I applied to only accepts 8 people each year and there were many many more people qualified but I put trust in Gods plan & I got in! It was such confirmation that the Lord really does plan our ways even when looking impossible! I love the way you connected these OT verses, God is good!
Two thoughts – 1. What of God’s commands am I invalidating so that I hold on to tradition? Have I been treating people who are different from me (people who are gay, who had sex outside marriage, who are nonbelievers) in such a way that believes more strongly in tradition than it does in what God commands (for us to love each other deeply)? Hmm…
2. In v18-19, that finally explains why it’s OK to eat pork etc now, a question that has been nagging me for some time!
unrepentant sinners ARE different than you and I, Lauren. we are called to share God’s truth about their sin (homosexuality, fornication, etc) lovingly as He directs.
Colleen, I know that this is a HUGE discussion and impossible to discuss here, but what Lauren said is not that they aren’t different but she asked how do we treat them? And that’s something I have to ask myself constantly. I think that first of all we’re called to LOVE others. And then we can tell them God’s truth. So, it’s important to understand that everyone is loved, that everyone is created in His image. Homosexuality etc isn’t worse than lying or other sins, and it shouldn’t define how we treat others. That’s just something that’s on my heart lately and I’m totally with Lauren: what is my motivation behind how I treat people who are different? Is it love or is it just my desire to correct them?
29 Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31 and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”
Wow Moses must be so frustrated here! The 12 spies come back holding beautiful and delicious foods, yet they are too scared to face their enemies in a land claimed by God for them! I understand their fear, but I guess this is a lesson we can all take also. It is far better to trust God from the beginning than scare yourself with the possibilities. Common sense is necessary! But God can provide so fully and so greatly.
that is absolutely correct ❤️
So I started this bible reading plan a month late, and I finally have caught up! Yay! I have been so blessed thus far by this plan and the SRT community. You are all wonderful :)
I started late as well!! Yay! Glad you caught up
7 The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.
Is it just me, or does it seem like this is probably the opposite of what the Israelites felt to be true? I think they felt alone and lacking quite often. They weren’t, we know that, but it seems they felt that way from the way they complained. I’m realizing that I’m in the same place. I’ve dealt with a debilitating chronic illness for the past five years and my journey of healing has felt a lot like a painful, long walk through the desert. I’ve felt alone so often, and often felt in need. Today as I read this verse, I felt the Holy Spirit speak it straight to my heart – from Him to me about my specific situation. Thank you Jesus for opening my eyes to truth, for speaking it tenderly to me. I am not alone or lacking. I never have been, not since the day I asked Him to come into my heart and make me whole. What an amazing truth.
We are never alone, we are never lacking.
What a beautiful song you can sing from a heart that knows pain yet all the more sweetly recognizes His presence and faithfulness through that pain. His gift to you, though at many times I am sure the delivery is unwanted, is that sweetness of His presence and priceless refinement through your trial that you won’t experience any other way. Thank you for sharing. Your faith in the midst of the battle encourages me.
I’m really curious why Jesus would tell people not to speak of the miracles he had just done. Was he afraid of the attention? But he got that no matter what. He was always blessing and healing them in the name of the Lord so why not want people to spread the word that the Massiah was there.
This is something I have always wondered about too. Part of not telling seems to be dependent on where he was at the time of the miracle. When he was in Gentile areas he okay with the word spreading but in Jewish areas he tells people to remain quiet. My study note on Matthew 8:4 says this about why Jesus tells people to keep quiet concerning miracles: “Perhaps for several reasons, 1). Jesus did not want to be considered just a miracle worker, 2). He did not want his teaching ministry hindered by too much publicity being given to his healing miracles, and 3). He did not want his death to come prematurely before he had finished his ministry.
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 (or woman :) carries his/her son…”
Comforting words to me this morning…He always carries us, even when we aren’t aware of it !
People were overwhelmed with amazement!
Oh! Let me never stop being amazed at what He does!
I am a first year univeristy student and I have recently decided to change my major to something completely different. This new major is often seen as competitive and has a lot of powerful, successful, and intimidating people taking part in it. However, I know in my heart of hearts that God is encouraging me down this path and that He has something wonderful planned for me. Deuteronomy 1:21 says “See the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” And Deuteronomy 1:28-30 says “Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt in fear. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.’ 29 Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes,”. These verses have really inspired me today and I feel that God is talking to me through these verses. The Israelites are scared of the people they must face because they are “stronger and taller” than they are, but Moses tells them to not be afraid because God has given them the land and that God will be with them. “The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you…”
In my new major, there will be people that are better than me, and that have had more formal training than me. There will be people who have more money than me and therefore able to buy better supplies. But I must remember that if this path is meant for me then God will be with me and He will fight for me. Just because we may not be as “strong and tall” as others, does not mean we should be intimidated by them. We have God, and God has given us gifts that those people who are “stronger and taller” do not have. Praise God! :)
I love the way you are processing this and applying it to a change in your life. Be strong and courageous! :-)
This is so encouraging to see how the Lord is speaking to you through these Old Testament passages. I read today’s passage quickly and moved on but it is so humbling to see how the Lord is using these in your life. Thank you for sharing. As I read your words I just felt a sense of anticipation in all of the fantastic things the Lord has in store for you!
Bethany I loved your post. I too switched my major in hopes of being a therapist. The program I applied to only accepts 8 people each year and there were many many more people qualified but I put trust in Gods plan & I got in! It was such confirmation that the Lord really does plan our ways even when looking impossible! I love the way you connected these OT verses, God is good!
love this ❤️ I pray God continues to work in your life and your future!!
Love the reading this morning!
Two thoughts – 1. What of God’s commands am I invalidating so that I hold on to tradition? Have I been treating people who are different from me (people who are gay, who had sex outside marriage, who are nonbelievers) in such a way that believes more strongly in tradition than it does in what God commands (for us to love each other deeply)? Hmm…
2. In v18-19, that finally explains why it’s OK to eat pork etc now, a question that has been nagging me for some time!
unrepentant sinners ARE different than you and I, Lauren. we are called to share God’s truth about their sin (homosexuality, fornication, etc) lovingly as He directs.
Colleen, I know that this is a HUGE discussion and impossible to discuss here, but what Lauren said is not that they aren’t different but she asked how do we treat them? And that’s something I have to ask myself constantly. I think that first of all we’re called to LOVE others. And then we can tell them God’s truth. So, it’s important to understand that everyone is loved, that everyone is created in His image. Homosexuality etc isn’t worse than lying or other sins, and it shouldn’t define how we treat others. That’s just something that’s on my heart lately and I’m totally with Lauren: what is my motivation behind how I treat people who are different? Is it love or is it just my desire to correct them?
Amen!
Amen !!!
❤ this
Concerning thought 1.
Why are we resting on Sunday (mens tradition) instead of Saturday (Sabbath) …