Only one verse today.   From Moses’ first sermon in Deuteronomy, mentioning all that God has done for His people Israel.   The struggles of slavery, then their exit from Egypt.  More can be found in the book of Exodus.  What you discover was how angry and downright impossible God’s people were.  They only needed to trust Him.  He would be there for them.  Don’t take my word for it.  Take His.

Poor Moses heard all their infernal griping, and even he lost it!  God’s people were a tough bunch.  Always harking back to the ‘good old days’.  Remembering all the food they enjoyed ‘for free’.  Free?  What were they talking about?  They were slaves, needing to be fed so they could work.  Forget about freedom.  None whatsoever.  In that hot desert, they grumbled and complained, plotting to kill Moses and his brother Aaron.  Nice people!

When God promised them their own land, what did they do?  Sent out spies to check on things only to believe the majority report that the enemy looms large while we remain pipsqueaks!  Go into a land overpopulated with ‘giants’?  No way!  Let’s hightale it back to Egypt, where we came from.  At least we know what we had there.  Food in our bellies.  Job security.

Wonder how God felt about all this?  Need to wonder?  I don’t.  Not a ‘happy camper’.  Why should He be?  He decides that His people are going to ‘cool their heels’ in the desert…for 40 drawn-out years.  A long sentence.  This should give them lots of time to mull things over.

Aren’t you glad this was about them… and not us!   Sounds an awful lot like me.  I’ve been in the ‘desert’ where the Lord has given me ‘time out’ to think things over.  For Him to work in my life, even with my bad attitude!  If you are a believer in Jesus, you know how much He loves you.  Just as you are.  But loved enough not to leave you that way for too long.

That’s where the desert comes in.  Deuteronomy 2:7–‘The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands.  He has watched over your journey through the desert.  These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.’

He stayed with His rebellious people the whole time.  Giving them clouds by day as shade from the sun’s heat, and fire by night to give light, protection and warmth.  Their sandals never wore out.  Never.  There was food everyday, and twice as much for the Sabbath so they could have a day of rest and worship.  ‘…you have not lacked anything’.  Thank God for ALL He has done for us.  Even during tough times.  ‘…not lacking a thing’!

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you for all your provision in your Son Jesus.  In His name, we pray.  Amen.