I’m still reading through Deuteronomy and learning so much. Today, I started in Deuteronomy 12. The first verse read:
“These are the statutes and rules that you shall be careful to do in the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you to possess, all the days that you live on the earth.”
Deuteronomy12:1
The books of Moses are filled with warnings. If we jump ahead, we find: “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 14:21)
Living Every Moment
I think that we don’t fully understand how important it is to live every moment in obedience to Almighty God. These warnings – we also find them in the New Testament – are not from a mean, cruel God. They are born out of God’s love for us. Do you doubt that? (Read this, it may shock you.)
25 And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the Lord your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the Lord your God chooses, to set his name there, 25 then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the Lord your God chooses 26 and spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household. 27 And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.”
Deuteronomy 14:24–27
Does that sound like a cruel god? No! God’s continual warnings are like a parent that is teaching their child how to drive a car. “Oh, slow down! Easy on the brake. Watch out, you’re going to hit that mailbox!!!!” As followers of Jesus, we must listen to the Holy Spirit or we will hit that mailbox.
We Don’t See Reality
We see with the eyes of Adam; we rarely, if ever, see what really is happening. There’s an account in 2 Kings 6:16–20 when the bad guys, king of Aram, decided he were going kill Elisha. So, he gathered his troops and surrounded the city where Elisha was. Elisha’s servant woke up early in the morning and looking outside the city walls saw the town surrounded by every modern weapon of the day. He was terrified!
On the other hand, when Elisha looked out towards the bad guys, he gave them no mind. The servant was now terrified and confused. So, God allowed Elisha to do something supernatural. Elisha prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened to see the true reality.
“17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
2 Kings 6:17
What Elisha’s servant saw is the true reality and the in which we live moment by moment. Jesus said, “*If you love me, you will keep my commands.” He didn’t say that as a cruel taskmaster. He said that as Lord of our lives. He sees what we don’t. Being God, Jesus sees the end from the beginning. His words tell us that He knows that we are but dust, yet He loves us so much that He suffered shame, beatings, abandonment, torture, pain, and death. Why?
Good News
Because Jesus sees what really is going on; we don’t. We are like the blind leading the blind. So, when we read God’s commands, warnings, punishments, and statutes that leave no wiggle room, let’s remember that we really have no idea what we are facing, but Jesus does.
Jesus asked the Father to send the Holy Spirit to His followers that we would have supernatural help; help from Almighty God. So, the next time you or I want to complain to Jesus, “Why is it that things are ok for others, but withheld from us?” Let’s just skip that and thank Him for leading us through this life that is mostly hidden from us.
Today, I pray for you:
24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’ – Numbers 6:24–26
Amen!
Photo by Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash
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