The last few days has been weird. Things that are simple and things that are planned, got hindered or altered. Things that I didn’t plan, carried out and accomplished. It made me question, what God is saying?
This morning my reading from book Deuteronomy continues, and this portion I re-read in slow motion: Deut 1:19-33, folllowed by 34-46. And below just some thoughts that I learnt:
Because my circumtances, I thought the whole chapter 1, Moses was looking back and paint to the Israelites the background story before launching to his message. So I call it Moses’ reflection on their journey for the last 40 years.
Firstly, Moses told them how he was unable to bear the whole population, hence he appoints leaders over them. He leads those leaders, and the leaders lead the people. (v.9-18)
Finally, Moses told them that eventually God punished those who rebelled against him, and therefore they wandered in the wilderness for the next 40 years (v.34-46)
So the middle / second part is where Moses tells them what went wrong from the first setup to the final outcome. Something went not right there that end up in a mess.
- (v.19-21) God’s faithfulness in leading them thus far & the “victories” or success they had conquered with God’s help. So Moses asked people for action
- (v.22) A suggestion from the people to Moses
- (v.23-25) Moses thought the suggestion was a good idea. So he followed through
- (v.26-28) The people refused to follow through
- (v.29-31) Again Moses reminded the people of God’s past faithfulness and what they have went through
- (v.32-33) Moses realisation what were going on in the hearts of the Israelites, which then lead to the disastrous outcome in (v.34-46)
What do I learnt then looking at this middle section? Many!! There are many lessons on leadership both the good and bad. Also lesson on discerning God’s leading and people’s hearts.
What I want to share perhaps from verse 33
who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.
Deut 1:33
As Moses reflected on what went wrong before his eyes, he was reminded (me too), that God has been leading them faithfully by night and by day. They have been led in such a way that they know exactly where they should walk and where they should camp. The wilderness journey (though scarry and dangerous as it was, verse 19), they overcame it. And it was not by human’s wisdom, or their decision makings. It was purely because God led them!!
Take a moment to let that truth sink down. God led them through the terrifying & confusing desert.
How has your journey like this year? How is it at the moment? Are you bewildered by the situations around you? Are you facing the crossroad to make a decision and you’re shocked by the ‘giants’ in front of your eyes?
That what happened to the people of Israel then. They’re afraid to take that step. So they suggested to their leader, and their leader failed to see through what was going on at that time, he agreed. Yet God has showed them by His grace, again and again that indeed the land was good and they’re going to inherit that.
So, what are you going to do? Would you let doubt arise in your hearts and cloud your mind? Instead of following God, resort to human’s wisdom? And if by God’s grace He has already affirmed His promise, would you continue to rebel instead of obey Him?
Take a long pause to reflect on how this year has been. Where are the places that God stopped you and the times that He asked you to go forward? He has not stopped leading you. Follow His leading in faith into the new year.
Prayer: “Father God, you’re faithful. You led us by day and by night. You preserved us through and through. And now we’re facing these bigger than us into your promise. Help us not to be discouraged or wander. Keep our hearts true before You, and You will lead us as always. So what you say, we’ll press on. May You find us faithful.”