Our study moves us from the book of Numbers into Deuteronomy as I continue to follow the outlines for my life group. That way I am sharing with you the thoughts as I prepare each lesson. But as we move, I cannot help but notice Deuteronomy is quoted 195 times in the New Testament. Three times Jesus found strength in Deuteronomy, quoting from its text when confronted by Satan in the desert. God’s word provides us with the strength to victoriously respond to Satan. So, it is fitting today to look at Deuteronomy and derive from its rich pages 3 things one must do in a crazy world such as we live: Remember, Hold Fast to God’s Truth, and Rejoice in Him alone.
We are surrounded by trials, temptations, false prophets, and even demons whom Satan would wield against us. His fiery darts flying at us from all sides.
So, what are 3 things we must do as represented in Deuteronomy? I believe Deuteronomy tells us we must remember, we must hold fast to the Truth of God, and we must rejoice in Him Alone. That is how we find hope, strength, joy, and victory in a crazy world that is hell bent on destroying our faith. For that is where we live. Fiery darts come at us from all sides; but we can rest assured that God has already secured our victory, if we know Him. So, all these battles along the way are only bringing us closer to Him. The annoyances, the constant pressure pushes us closer to Him if only we remember, hold fast, and rejoice in Him Alone.
Deuteronomy is filled with wondrous sermons and songs, all to bring the Children of Israel to remember, hold fast to truth, and to rejoice in God Alone.
REMEMBER
Throughout his sermons and songs, Moses calls upon the children to remember. They are to remember the faithfulness of God throughout their history as a nation. This even though confronted by their unfaithfulness. Remember He is Holy, Yahweh, the Great I am, Sovereign Creator of the Universe who reached down upon these people with Mercy and Grace. He has brought them to this land, because of His faithfulness and certainly not because they deserve it. It has been God’s Grace every step of the way.
Pay very careful attention] lest you forget the things you have seen and disregard them for the rest of your life; instead teach them to your children and grandchildren. Deuteronomy 4:9 NET
Even if you wander far away, remember. “if you seek the Lord your God from there, you will find him, if, indeed, you seek him with all your heart and soul. In your (tribulation) distress when all these things happen to you in future days, if you return to the Lord your God and obey him (for he is a merciful God), he will not let you down or destroy you, for he cannot forget the covenant with your ancestors that he confirmed by oath to them. Deuteronomy 4:29-31
We must remember the past, that we might keep our eyes on Him. And we must remember His faithfulness and the sin from which He has saved us. Remember His faithfulness despite our lack. Cling fast to the Grace He has so freely given us through it all amid this crazy world
Hold Fast to His Truth
It is so easy to get pulled away from truth by every doctrine that sounds good, feels good, tickles our fancy, or exalts our foolish desires. But His truth stands, despite the crazy world we live in.
Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else. Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee. Deuteronomy 4:39-40
It is with grave sincerity of heart; I ask God with every strike of my keyboard to keep me true to His word. God’s word is never open to “my interpretation”. We must take heed to Paul’s admonition to Timothy
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 2 Timothy 2:15-16
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Resist stedfast in the faith, …(even during times of suffering) … But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:9-11
Rejoice in Him Alone
Yes, as Christians we are to be joyous. But our joy is found in Him alone. That is why we can rejoice in Him regardless of the circumstances that surround us.
Then you are to celebrate the Feast of Weeks before the Lord your God with the voluntary offering that you will bring, in proportion to how He[c] has blessed you. You shall rejoice before him—you, your son, your daughter, your male and female slaves, the Levites in your villages, the resident foreigners, the orphans, and the widows among you—in the place where the Lord chooses to locate his name. Furthermore, remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and so be careful to observe these statutes. Deuteronomy 16:10-12 (NET)
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say, rejoice! Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near! Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4-7 (NET
Concluding thoughts:
Whatever trial you may be facing today, remember that God is Sovereign. He has promised to complete the work He began in you, that is if you know Him as Savior. His plan is perfect. The wilderness may last for 40 years or more, but every step of the way He is there. He may allow what He hates that He might accomplish what He loves in you and for you. Only He knows the depths I must plunge that I might become like His Son. So, we must remember, hold fast to His truth, and rejoice in Him alone. Only then can we stand firm in a crazy world such as we live every day. Ah, but no worries, He knows exactly what you or I need to reach that place for in the trials He is finishing, refining and perfecting us.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. I Peter 5:10
As Moses said to the children of Israel:
Remember the whole way by which he has brought you these forty years through the wilderness so that he might, by humbling you, test you to see if you have it within you to keep his commandments or not. So He humbled you by making you hungry and then feeding you with unfamiliar manna. He did this to teach you that humankind cannot live by bread alone, but also by everything that comes from the Lord’s mouth. Your clothing did not wear out nor did your feet swell all these forty years. Deuteronomy 8: 2-4 (NET)
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
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