Deuteronomy 31-34

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid, for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6


Wrapping up Deuteronomy–Nice and Neat “He is the Rock, His work is perfect.” Deut:32:4

Have you ever been pressed to think of words to describe the attributes of God? This used to be a foreign thing for me to do and my paper would be empty when asked that question. But as I have grown and matured in Christ, over the many years of my life, my awareness of His attributes have increased. Specifically this week, I noted that scripture, in Deutonomy:32, refers to our God as a Rock. Yes, God is a Divine Power. He is faithful. He is a firm foundation that cannot be moved or changed. God stands firmly against the chaos of our world of sin and corruption and is a sure foundation for us to stand on. Similarly, Christ is also known as our Firm Foundation, our Fortress, our Refuge from enemies and Christ is our Mighty Fortress. Another attribute found in this week’s beginning chapter is when God’s work is called perfect, referring to His Divine Wisdom, His inerrant ways, His perfect justice and righteousness. These two beautiful, powerful words, the Rock and Perfect, provide clear pictures of our Lord. Why don’t you add Rock and perfect to your own list of attributes?

I was so moved while reading Deuteronomy 32 which is subtitled “the Song of Moses.” It is such a beautiful expression of instruction that was written by Moses who invited all heaven and earth to witness his teaching (which included the Law and the Ten Commandments). Moses sings glory to God for His mighty power, provision and protection. The song speaks of comfort own people and concludes with words of joy. It is a solemn blessing from Moses to his people.

Moses continues with his final blessing in chapter 33 - a promise to believers that they will have strength through the Lord and will never be tempted above what they are able to bear. (Deut. 33:26-29) The very same Mighty Rock was my strength and protected me in my very own storm. You see it was only last year that our family business went through a major shock after finding accounting discrepancies that led us to filing a very painful and humbling Chapter 11. Our financial security was rocked beyond belief, our retirement plans were dissolved and our family was torn to shreds with broken spirits and prideful hearts. At the very same time my 29 year old daughter fell at death’s door after being struck by, not one, but two strokes. Two gigantic problems had crashed into my life in a very sort time. Two issues, totally out of my control, threatened my world. Both were bigger than I. Both were devastating. Did I wonder how I was going to deal with these two gigantic situations? The answer is yes, but only for one moment for when I fell to my knees before the Father and poured my heart out to Him. He wrapped His loving arms around me and held me like a child and I was quickly reassured that HE was in control. He was, in fact the Rock. Jesus is the one who gave me the strength needed to withstand the great storms in my life. He became my very own Rock and my secure Fortress. He reassured me beyond words that HE would not leave me nor forsake me. And the Holy Spirit gave me confidence to fully rely on Jesus for my strength and trust in Him alone. Then He poured out His Divine wisdom through ways I could never have imagined and I found peace within the stormy waters. (Sweet Sisters, I owe a debt of gratitude for your loving, prayerful hearts and faithful encouragement.) Now that the tidal waves have subsided I don’t find myself more wounded or defeated but rather more confident that He will not leave me, ever!

Continuing in Deuteronomy 34 we’re again reminded that Joshua has been chosen by God to bring the Israelites into the land of milk and honey but Moses is about to die. Moses was personally chosen by the Lord. He was Israel’s’ deliverer, their lawgiver, the one who led them through battle and he was their earthly judge. Moses had indeed led them to the Promised Land, but when his life would end, he would only receive a close up view of Canaan and for the Lord would call him home before crossing the River Jordan. In his 120 years of faithful service it’s clear that Moses was greater than any other prophet in the Old Testament but let me remind you that our Lord Jesus Christ goes beyond.

You see, Jesus was also sent by God as the chosen one. Jesus fulfilled all prophecy. And it is Jesus that delivers us from the bondage of sin. Jesus conquers our enemies and He gives us strength. He rescues us from the slavery of the devil and the temptations of the world and Jesus, alone, will be our judge. But there’s even more. He is the giver of love and the one who teaches forgiveness and is my Savior. Yes, Jesus is my redeemer and I proudly wave His banner high. How about you? Do you wave His banner?

Deuteronomy 16-20

“You shall rejoice before the Lord your God.”  Deuteronomy 16: 11a

     I just loved reading the first part of Chapter 16 with these repeated words:  Rejoice; You shall rejoice; you surely will rejoice; again I say rejoice.  Did you happen to catch those phrases?  Do you fill thoughts and your heart with rejoice?  Several years back we read a book by Joyce Meyer called the Battlefield of the Mind.  It didn’t take me too long to discover that my mind was cluttered, was literally littered with unhealthy thoughts and it was time for me to clean “house”.  I was quickly reminded that God wants us to be filled with His joy. And He wants YOU to rejoice in Him each and every day!   

     Today, Dawn Rawson was kind enough to share with us some of the deeper meanings that are tied to the yearly feasts that were established by the Lord our God.  These feasts have continued for over 1500 years so that when Jesus stepped foot on the earth as flesh and blood He would be recognized as the Lamb of God.  The Lord wanted there to be constant reminders of His promise that He would provide a sacrificial lamb one day – one whose blood would cover our sins and wash us white as snow.  That Lamb of God is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. But even with these constant reminders some failed to make the connection. 

     There are three main feasts that have held the nation of Israel together.  The Feast of Passover is a very solemn event making the whole month a time of discipline.  They were not to eat leavened bread which represented sin in their lives and were to sacrifice an unblemished lamb.  The Feast of Pentecost was 7 days after the Feast of Passover, whereby an offering was brought to God as a tribute to our many blessings bestowed by Him.  And finally the Feast of Tabernacles in which one rejoiced in assisting others, by supplying their needs or comforting a mourner.

     The laws concerning these three solemn feasts are summed up as so:  1. All males must make their personal appearance before God and 2. None must appear before God emptyhanded, but every man must bring some sort of offering. 

     I leave you with this: 

Have you made a personal appearance before God?  

What do you bring as your offering? 

Is it just what’s leftover or is it your firstfruit?    

…”You will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.”  Deut. 4:29