He Promises to Care for Us
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 11:1-12 (NASB)
1 “You shall therefore love the Lord your God, and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments. 2 Know this day that I am not speaking with your sons who have not known and who have not seen the discipline of the Lord your God—His greatness, His mighty hand and His outstretched arm, 3 and His signs and His works which He did in the midst of Egypt to Pharaoh the king of Egypt and to all his land; 4 and what He did to Egypt’s army, to its horses and its chariots, when He made the water of the Red Sea to engulf them while they were pursuing you, and the Lord completely destroyed them; 5 and what He did to you in the wilderness until you came to this place; 6 and what He did to Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben, when the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their households, their tents, and every living thing that followed them, among all Israel— 7 but your own eyes have seen all the great work of the Lord which He did. 8 “You shall therefore keep every commandment which I am commanding you today, so that you may be strong and go in and possess the land into which you are about to cross to possess it; 9 so that you may prolong your days on the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give to them and to their descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 For the land, into which you are entering to possess it, is not like the land of Egypt from which you came, where you used to sow your seed and water it with your foot like a vegetable garden. 11 But the land into which you are about to cross to possess it, a land of hills and valleys, drinks water from the rain of heaven, 12 a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning even to the end of the year.
SUMMARY
Moses told the Israelites to love the Lord and always keep His statutes and commands. He reminded them of all the great works that God had done for them in Egypt which they have seen with their own eyes including destroying the disobedient Pharaoh of Egypt and rebellion of Korah. He commanded them to keep every commandment so that they can remain strong in their faith and possess the land. He proclaimed that those who obey God’s command will prosper in the new land which flows with milk and honey, and He will protect them at all times. Unlike in Egypt where they used to sow seeds and water with their foot, in the new land, seeds will drink water from the rain of heaven and they will always be in God’s care.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Moses emphasized to the Israelites to keep God’s commands even when they enter the Promised Land. He reminded them once again of the great work of God they experienced and witnessed with their own eyes (v.7) so that they can remember God’s amazing grace and be even more obedient. God wants us to love Him and obey His commandments. John 14:15 says “If you love me, keep my commands.” Just like when we love someone, we do what pleases them. I realized I need to be more diligent about remembering this. He doesn’t want my accomplishments. He just wants my obedience. He promises to take complete care of me, yet I am always busy trying to build our family’s future. The Israelites were blessed with a land greater than Egypt, a land that God waters from “the rain of heaven” (v.11). God promises to prosper us and care for us if we choose to obey Him. I must always remember that, and choose to obey Him for His complete care, and rejoice with Him living in the “land flowing with milk and honey” (v.9). This verse really touched my heart and made my heart flutter.
APPLICATION
Today I was reminded of all the great works God has done in my life, and how rich and deep God’s grace is. It’s so easy to forget especially when things get busy and are going well in life. I will be more diligent about writing in my journal so that I don’t forget and can be reminded of His Grace. Even the Israelites who witnessed God’s grace with their own eyes needed to be reminded. I will refer to it when I’m feeling lost or challenged, to help me respond with faith. I will also review and meditate on each commandment as a family so that we can remember and not lose sight of God’s will.
PRAYER
Thank you, Jesus! For your grace, and reminding me of all the works you have been doing in my life. You have shown me in so many ways, and you have done so much for me. You were in the works even at my darkness moments, blessing me in disguise. All because of your grace. Thank you for loving me and taking me into your care. Please help me to remember your works and choose to obey you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
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