Deuteronomy

The Faithful God {Deuteronomy 7}

12:44 AM





Monday March. 11,     Deuteronomy 7

Recently while driving to an appointment, I took a wrong turn and ended up in an unfamiliar part of the city. Caught in traffic, and headed the wrong way, as soon as I was able I pulled over to get my bearings and call my husband to share my predicament. After hearing my plight he asked, “Why didn’t you just follow the route the GPS gave you?” I meekly replied, “Because I thought my way was better.” As it turned out, that “better way” left me lost, stressed out, late for my appointment, and turned a thirty minute trip into one that took twice as long. That’s how it was with the Israelites. They had the ultimate, perfect GPS....God. Yet because they rebelled against His directions, an eleven day trip through the desert turned into a forty year journey through the wilderness. Now here in Deuteronomy, with God’s people finally entering the promised land, Moses stresses to Israel that they reached their destination not because of themselves, for they were faithless, but because of God, who remains faithful...always! 

“Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (vs. 7:9) Why does Moses call God “the faithful God”? To be faithful is to to be steadfast, enduring, dependable, loyal, and trustworthy. Attributes God demonstrates perfectly. Despite their rebellion and unbelief, God stayed faithful to Israel. Remembering His promises to their forefathers, the Lord kept His covenant with His people, and remained steadfast in His love for them. Such is the wonderful nature of God. What He says, He does. “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Num. 23:19). Never do we need doubt God, for His Word is true. And in a world where hurt and disappointment is plentiful, how comforting it is knowing that for a thousand generations, the Lord remains faithful to those who love and obey Him.

Everywhere I look I see the faithfulness of God. I see it in the needs He so generously meets. In the family and friends He blesses my life with. In the mercy and grace He patiently shows each day, and most of all in His never ending love. Such abundant devotion that He gives not because I love Him, but because He loves me. Moses reminded the Israelites that they were a precious people, handpicked by God to be His own. Chosen not for their greatness, but because of the Lord’s faithfulness and love. (vs. 7:6-8) And as a child of God and an heiress to His promises, I too can receive that same unmerited faithfulness. A faithfulness that turns my brokenness into healing, my condemnation into redemption, my bitterness into love, my bondage into freedom, my sin into righteousness, and my death into eternal life. 

When troubles seem that all is lost
And no way can I see
I look to Jesus on the Cross
And know He died for me

In a world of disappointments
His love will never end
Great is Thy faithfulness
On Jesus I can depend
     ....Cena Gilman


                  

Covenant

The Glory Of God {Exodus 22:1-24:17}

12:00 AM

Monday Jan. 22 The Glory Of God {Ex. 22:1-24:17}


Could you imagine being an Israelite? To be one of God’s chosen people, pulled from bondage with the promise of a better life in a land flowing with milk and honey? To witness His miracles firsthand and be surrounded in His loyalty and protection? Now can you imagine after experiencing all of that love and glory rejecting the One who gave it? That’s just what the people of Israel did, and sadly what many of us do as well.

Throughout the Bible, God is called glorious. He is the Lord and King of glory, and His glory is above all the earth. And because He possesses a glory that is too bright, a righteousness that is too pure, and a greatness that is too powerful, no one can see God in His fullness and live. (Ex. 33:20) Yet even though we might not be able to see Him face to face, His glory is on full display all around us just as it was for the people of Israel. 

The book of Exodus is filled with example after example of God showering His glory upon His chosen people. He guided them, provided for them, and protected them. And because they saw physical manifestations of His glory, which both awed and scared them, they pledged to make Him their God and to follow Him in obedience. And just as quickly as they promised their faithfulness, they took it away and gave it to a golden calf. This got me to thinking, how many times have I been like the Israelite's. Quick to vow to follow the Lord only to turn around and do just the opposite.

How easy is it to make a covenant with God when we feel surrounded in His glory. Maybe it’s because of a received blessing, an answered prayer, or a need fulfilled. We feel close to Him spiritually, physically, and emotionally. We promise to never forsake Him, to faithfully follow His will and not our own. And then we go about our business, letting our focus wander on things other than our relationship with the Lord. We spend our time and energy pursuing our fleshly desires and instead of trusting Him, attempt to meet our needs on our own. 


But the wonderful news is this. No matter how much we reject God, He will never reject us. When we honestly repent and call out to Him, He forgives us and welcomes us back into His loving arms. The iworship Bible gives us a great challenge. “Picture yourself standing before God, insignificant in the light of His glory. Let God’s greatness resonate in your spirit and change your posture. God yearns to greatly impact and work in the lives of those who humble themselves in this way.” So I ask you this. Will you remove the idols from your life and make a solid and everlasting commitment to the One true Lord of glory?