Read Deuteronomy 8
Highlights:
Discover "gems" from our Heavenly Father in these three chapters. The purpose of God is given for all His Commandments (Deut. 8:1). There's a Divine promise included (9:3). Grim reminder of the result of rebellion.
During the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, there were many unexpected disappointments. They were necessary for the Lord to persuade Israel to acknowledge the futility of their own abilities. Men like Joshua were led to put their trust in His Word for daily provisions, protection, and guidance. Adversity for the Israelites was aimed at overcoming the spirit of self-dependence.
The manna was given daily to develop assurance of continuance of the promises of God. All the unforeseen circumstances were needed to develop their faith in His Word. God arranges the terms and time of our "need" for our eternal good. Our problems should bring us to the same persuasion that we are dependent each day upon God. He does supply all our needs (not all our wants), and He loves to make available what is best (not mere comfort) for our pilgrimage through life. Pain and disappointments become more endurable when we recognize that the love of God has allowed them for our best eternal good. There is also a tendency to forget God as we gain material possessions and are tempted to tell others what "we" have accomplished. The Israelites illustrate our need: He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna . . . that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live (Deut. 8:3). Jesus quoted this Scripture which was given to Israel in the wilderness when He too was being tempted by Satan for 40 days without food.
Adversity is a necessity, for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth (Heb. 12:6). Although some adversity may come as the result of sin, Job illustrates the fact that the best man living may face painful afflictions even though his own actions were not the cause (Job 1:8-12). Throughout the Bible there is evidence of the power of God in answer to prayer to satisfy every "need." Read it daily with confident expectation that we too will enjoy the strength of His Life that is indispensable to satisfy our real needs in the years to come.
The Lord said through Peter: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (I Pet. 3:15).
Thought for Today:
We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (II Cor. 5:10).
Christ Revealed:
Through the shittim (acacia) wood used to make the Ark of the Covenant (Deut. 10:3). Acacia wood, a desert growth, is symbolic of Christ in His human form. When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the Law (Gal. 4:4).
Word Studies:
8:2 prove best; 8:14 thine heart be lifted up you become unmindful of God; 8:18 establish His Covenant accept His agreement with His qualifications; 9:5 perform the word accomplish His promise; 9:6 stiffnecked stubborn, self-willed; 10:6 stead place; 10:15 seed descendants.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Letha Hash • Government Officials: Gov. Rick Perry (TX) and Rep. Christopher Smith (NJ) • Country: Vanuatu (189,000) a group of 12 large islands southwest of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific • Major languages: English and French • Religious freedom • 78% Protestant; 17% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Depend upon the Holy Spirit to help you in your prayers (Rom. 8:26-27).
Optional Reading: Luke 19
Luke 19Memory Verse for the Week: Exodus 20:6-7