I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

Deuteronomy 32

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh, praise the greatness of our God! He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. v3-4

As a follow up to yesterday's post, in Deuteronomy, Moses writes a song that chronicles the story of the Israelites as the Lord led them out of Egypt to the Promised Land and as the Israelites turned from the Lord on so many occassions.  

We must worship the one and only true God - for He holds us and everything else in His hands.  We should live in reverent fear of God.

See now that I myself am he!
    There is no god besides me.
I put to death and I bring to life,
    I have wounded and I will heal,
    and no one can deliver out of my hand.

I lift my hand to heaven and solemnly swear:
    As surely as I live forever,
when I sharpen my flashing sword
    and my hand grasps it in judgment,
I will take vengeance on my adversaries
    and repay those who hate me.
I will make my arrows drunk with blood,
    while my sword devours flesh:
the blood of the slain and the captives,
    the heads of the enemy leaders.” v39-42

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.  1 Peter 1:17

Lord Jesus, please help me respect who You are and live my time in reverent fear and help me worship only You.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - creator of the heavens and earth and everything in them.  You hold the world in Your hands - yet because You loved me You came for me as a child, as a man, then suffered and died for me...even though You lived a perfect life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I fail to be all who You intend for me.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?’

Deuteronomy 31

They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?’ v16-17

We often question why bad things happen in this world - for example, as Hurricane Irma bears down on FL - many people speculate on the reasons why.  

We should not be surprised because sin has been with us since the Fall.  We no longer exist in harmony with God as we did in the Garden.

God tell us that we WILL have trouble.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

ALL of us sin:
Romans 3:23
1 John 1:8

This said - HOW God works is a mystery.

We don't need to understand why God is doing what He is doing - but we DO need to understand that God is always at work for His glory and His purpose.  See also Colossians 1:

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You create good experiences and difficult experiences - in all You are at work.  We know You love us - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  Please forgive me for my lack of grace for others.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31

Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” v7-8

While these words are spoken to Joshua, they are intended for all of us (Moses says them in front of all of the Israelites - v7).  There will be times in our lives, many times, when we believe tasks ahead of us are difficult.  When we feel called by God - we should be strong and courageous as Moses wanted Joshua to be as he led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

These words are not only spoken to Joshua, but also by David to Solomon - see here. 

Understanding God's will for our lives is something all of us must do - we are created to glorify God - how is God's plan for us.

Jesus, please help me understand Your will for my life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, and I have seen with my own eyes what You have done - in my life and in the life of others.  Thank You Jesus for all that You have done for me and that You love me - even though I am broken.  I am not worth such love.  I get angry too quickly.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.” Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him.

Deuteronomy 26

He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, Lord, have given me.” Place the basket before the Lord your God and bow down before him. v9-10

Giving back to God is critical - see other posts on this topic. 

We cannot claim that whatever wealth we enjoy is ours - wrong!  We are custodians of God's wealth and it belongs to Him for us to invest on His behalf.  When He asks us to tithe we give back to God what is His.  We demonstrate humility and dependence on God for our daily bread.

We should not worry about money - God tells us not to worry.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Matthew 6:26

In the same chapter in Matthew, Jesus also teaches us that money can become an idol - yet another reason why giving back to God helps us focus on God and not money.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Lord Jesus, please help me be obedient with my tithe and to be a cheerful giver.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth the love and compassion You pour out for me.  I continue to lust in my heart - please forgive me!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.

Deuteronomy 24

Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this. v17-18

As we continue to have an intense debate over immigration in our country - we can all agree that we should care for those who struggle due to difficult circumstances.  Moses reminds us how the Lord rescued the Israelites from bondage and we should all remember how Jesus came to rescue each of us and commands us to love others as He loves us (John 13:34).

Lord Jesus, help me love others as You love me.

My Prayer: Lord, I know You love me - You provide for all of my needs and I am not of want for anything.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I am lazy.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

Deuteronomy 20

Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” v3-4

The enemies in our lives are many including Satan.  We need protection and God provides such refuge - He will fight with and for us.

See also:
Exodus 14:14
Deuteronomy 1:30 
Deuteronomy 3:22 
Joshua 23:10 

Thank You Jesus!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides and protects.  You also teach, encourage, heal, guide, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  You are my all and all and You demand my attention - yet I am often distracted and I neglect my relationship with You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.

Deuteronomy 15

If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. v7-8

Moses expands on the commandment for us to care for those in need:

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. v11

Paul echoes this commandment:


Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Paul emphasizes how we should "freely" give - as our heart condition towards money and wealth is important:

They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor[.] Psalm 112:9

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45

Our heart condition is softened and molded through a relationship with Jesus, and by meeting with Him daily (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - I love You.  You have watched over our family during a time of mourning and You have my mom and Your arms.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings as I often hold onto my money and am tightfisted. I am also harsh with my words. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.