Reflections

We have been studying the book of Deuteronomy in Sunday School lately, and I have had some reflections over the past week on how I fit in with this book. Here they are:

**I have always thought that the Israelites wandering in the desert in Exodus were really dense to not see the Lord's provision in their lives. He provided manna, quail, water from rocks, etc., yet they continued to test God and question his goodness and provision in their lives. While studying Deut 8 today in SS, I realized that the Israelites were no different from me. The only difference between us is that they were going on the blind trust in Moses' word, and I have the complete written word of God at my disposal with promises of the Lord's goodness and provision in my life. I question God and doubt him during difficult times even though he promises to provide for us and to work out everything for my good.

**I have always thought that the Israelites were very ungrateful and wicked to not appreciate the provisions of God in their lives (they were, don't get me wrong!) I mean really, he sends manna and quail, he rescues them from Egypt, they see the signs and miracles, and he is promising them the Promised Land. Yet the griped and complained about everything. In Deut 8, it talks about how much the Lord gave them - even down to preserving their feet from swelling, but they were still so ungrateful. Those wicked Israelites. Then it hits me again -- how many times a day do I complain (even in my heart) about the size of my apartment, the size of my car, how many times we've eaten spaghetti this month, etc, etc. . . . . But how many times have I stopped to appreciate that the Lord has completely met all my needs? He has given me every good thing in Christ in addition to meeting my daily physical needs, yet I still grumble and complain. The scripture is so right when it says "There is none righteous, no not one" either 3000 years ago or today!

**In Deut 7, the Moses talks about the Lord requiring the Israelites to completely destroy the people groups living in the Promised Land. But then he says something to the effect of "I could have destroyed all those people at once, but I didn't lest the wild beasts overtake you." WOW!! This really hit me! The Lord was able to clear a path quickly and easily, but he chose not to in his wisdom and steadfast love for his people. He knew that if there weren't enough people inhabiting that land, that the wild animals would not be hunted enough and they would grow to numerous for the Israelites to handle. How many times have I questioned the goodness of God in the past 2 years because we've had to wait for his timing. But He knows whats out there waiting for us. He knows when we are ready and when they are ready to receive us. He knows what is best and in what way we can best serve Him. Maybe the wild beasts are still too numerous for us to go. God is good.

Anyway, this may be a lot of rambling, but I just wanted to encourage everyone to hold tight to the Lord. His ways and his love are true and right. He will not leave us or forsake us. Going through trials is a difficult time to see the truths of God, but they are true none the less.