Readings for today: Deuteronomy 33, Luke 13:1-21, Psalms 78:65-72, Proverbs 12:25
”There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, 'Destroy.' So Israel lived in safety, Jacob lived alone, in a land of grain and wine, whose heavens drop down dew. Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs." (Deuteronomy 33:26-29)
Think about the life of Moses. Saved miraculously at birth when his mother put him in a basket and floated him down the Nile. Raised as a prince in Pharoah’s palace. Exiled for murdering an Egyptian as a young man. Worked as a shepherd in Midian for his father-in-law. Called by God to deliver Israel. Challenged the greatest empire in the world. Instrument of God’s signs and wonders. Led Israel through the Red Sea to Sinai. Lawgiver. Witness to God’s glory. Faithful, if imperfect, leader who continued to point Israel to God in the midst of their wilderness wanderings. Angry sinner who forfeited the Promised Land. Great prophet who blesses Israel at the end of his life. Humble man who submits to God’s will and passes the leadership mantle to Joshua.
Imagine you are Moses and you are at the end of your life. You have one last chance to speak to the people you’ve been leading for a generation. One last chance to speak a final blessing over them. After all you’ve gone through. After all you’ve seen. After all you’ve done. After all the headaches and heartaches this people have caused you. You might find it easier to curse rather than bless! But Moses is faithful to the end. He keeps his eyes on Jesus till the end. And with his dying breath he proclaims the glory of God.
There is none like God. He rides the heavens to bring aid to His people. The skies above proclaim His majesty. There is none like God. He is your eternal dwelling place. He carries you in His everlasting arms. There is none like God. He gives victory to His people. He drives out the enemy. He keeps Israel safe and secure. There is none like God. He provides grain and wine in abundance. The land produces as the heavens open and the rain falls. There is none like God. He saves His people. He is the shield of their help. The sword of their triumph. There is none like God.
How do you see God? Can anyone compare to Him? Is He your shield? Your strength? Your help? Do you declare His majesty like the heavens above? Do you bow before His greatness? Do you lean on His everlasting arms and find your dwelling place in Him? Do you look to Him for safety and security? For provision in times of need? Has He saved you? Adopted you into His family? Made you His own? Do you give Him the worship and adoration and praise He deserves?
Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 34-Joshua 2, Luke Luke 13:22-14:6, Psalm 79, Proverbs 12:26