Thursday, March 27, 2008

Though I walk through the desert place

Those of you who have joined me in reading through God's Word this year have likely entered into the book of Deuteronomy. I have no idea why, but I have always enjoyed this book. It has always encouraged me even though it is a little dry.

Today we read Deuteronomy 8. In this chapter Moses says to Israelites, "Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or or not you would keep his commands."

God used this difficult time to build the Israelites faith and courage. At the same time it was used to build their appreciation of the land they were about to enter. It would be easy to take for granted the blessing and the bounty God would provide. But they would need do nothing more than look back at where they had come from to discover a proper perspective.

The difficult times in the desert reveal much about our character as well as the character of God. It was in the desert that God established himself as God. It was in the desert where God miraculously provided everything they needed. It was in the desert where there was no substitute for faith. Faith was all they had at times.

And God brought them through to the promised land. It was not in short order. Only 40 years! It was longer than anyone wanted. But the Israelites were all the stronger for it.

Are you walking through a desert in life now? Praise God! Because he will bring you through it stronger and more courageous than ever before.

Readings for next week:
March 30
Deut 13:1-15:23
Luke 8:40-9:6
Psalm 71:1-24
Proverbs 12:5-7

March 31
Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20
Luke 9:7-27
Psalm 72:1-20
Proverbs 12:8-9

April 01
Deut 18:1-20:20
Luke 9:28-50
Psalm 73:1-28
Proverbs 12:10

April 02
Deut 21:1-22:30
Luke 9:51-10:12
Psalm 74:1-23
Proverbs 12:11

April 03
Deut 23:1- 25:19
Luke 10:13-37
Psalm 75:1-10
Proverbs 12:12-14

April 04
Deut 26:1-27:26
Luke 10:38-11:13
Psalm 76:1-12
Proverbs 12:15-17

April 05
Deut 28:1-68
Luke 11:14-36
Psalm 77:1-20
Proverbs 12:18

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