Deuteronomy 3:12-29
As the Israelites stand on the precipice of the promised land, Moses pleads with God to allow him to see the fruit of the wanderings in the desert.
23 At that time I pleaded with the LORD : 24 "O Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? 25 Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon." (verses 23-25)
As any good parent would do with their child when a punishment is handed down, God sticks with the punishment and does not budge.
"That is enough," the LORD said. "Do not speak to me anymore about this matter." (verse 26)
Although he is allowed a brief glimpse of the promised land, Moses quietly and completely accepts his punishment for not properly rebuking the Israelites as they rebelled against God earlier in their exodus/wanderings. He commissions Joshua and stays in the land east of the Jordan.
29 So we stayed in the valley near Beth Peor. (verse 29)
This reminds me how we must all see ourselves (believers) as children (of God) in need of training, rebuking, etc. We must accept our human frailties and the consequences of such - we are a work in progress. To this end, I am reminded of scripture in 2 Tim provided by a friend and Christian brother:16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16-17)
God has a plan for us, it is GREAT, and part of this plan includes training and development. Scripture is a key source of this training and development!
My Prayer: Lord your plan is GREAT, and oh have I learned and grown in you and because of you. Forgive me when I think of myself is complete in training and arrogant. Thank you for scripture, my church, and my Christian brothers and sisters as means for my training. Help me constantly see myself as a child of God and in need of you and your guidance/training for me.
