Day 72

Read: Deuteronomy 3:21 – 5:33

We are called to move beyond past disappointments and trust God to lead us into new seasons. Even when our personal plans are disrupted, we are commanded not to fear, but to trust that God Himself fights for us.

Deuteronomy 4:1 begins with a command for obedience. Listening involves hearing with the intent to obey. Obedience to the Lord with result in life everlasting. Obedience to the law brings blessings f the Lord and provides a witness to the pagan nations. The wisdom of the law and the obedience of the people to the law would illustrate the uniqueness of Israel and their God.

Though the Israelites did not have a tangible representation of the Lord, they had seen His power and received His words. They were to remember these events and teach them to their children (Deuteronomy 4:9). If the covenant is not taught to the children, the failure of the nation is assured.

The Commandments are repeated in Deuteronomy 5. This is because they are not just rules, they are a path to life and blessings.

Something interesting to note… the reason for keeping the Sabbath holy is different in Deuteronomy 5:12-15 than in Exodus 20:8-11

In the Exodus accounting, the rest on the Sabbath coincides with the rest of God after completing His creation. However, in Deuteronomy, the Sabbath rest is in remembrance of Israels deliverance from Egypt. Remember God’s faithfulness in previous battles of your life to fuel your courage for the challenges ahead.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that I do not have to fight my battles alone. When I face disappointing changes, help me to trust your better plan and walk in obedience to Your Word. Amen.