As we come to the end of the book of Deuteronomy, we can look back through the journey of the children of Israel with Moses. How much of their journey is like our own through this world? They were the chosen, beloved children of God, just as we who know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. As such, God lovingly referred to them as Jeshurun. I daresay, we too, are Jeshurun–a poetical name, used in token of affection, meaning, “the dear upright people.” It is a term of endearment; the Greek Septuagint translates Jeshurun as “beloved one,” using a form of the word agape. When you truly understand what that means, can anything really rob your joy in God?
Perhaps for a moment, the trial seems too heavy to bear. Yet, whatever the trial is, God is there amid all the pain and sorrow. He allows it only to the degree that He knows our hearts can bear. Sustaining us with His loving arms around us, He allows the testing of our love toward Him. Furthermore, He allows the testing of our hearts to help us grow ever closer to the image of Christ. My frail and sometimes flailing heart too often desires things that would only give me counterfeit joy instead of His true Joy which is everlasting. To fully know Him, I must at times face trials. Afterall, should I deserve any less? I have not yet suffered to the degree that my Savior did and He so undeserving-for unlike me, He was perfect righteousness.
Who Can Rob Your Joy in God?
Moses reminded the children of Israel shortly before their entering the promised land of who God really IS.
“There is no one like God, O Jeshurun,[aq]
who rides through the sky[ar] to help you,
on the clouds in majesty.
27 The everlasting God is a refuge,
and underneath you are his eternal arms;[as]
he has driven out enemies before you,
and has said, “Destroy!”
28 Israel lives in safety,
the fountain of Jacob is quite secure,[at]
in a land of grain and new wine;
indeed, its heavens[au] rain down dew.[av]
29 You have joy, Israel! Who is like you?
You are a people delivered by the Lord,
your protective shield
and your exalted sword.
May your enemies cringe before you;
may you trample on their backs.” Deuteronomy 33:26-29 NET
With God as your defender, whom can you fear? There is no one who can rob your joy in God. That is unless you allow them to by forgetting that you are God’s chosen, redeemed, beloved Child.
This is what the Lord, the one who made you, says—
the one who formed you in the womb and helps you:
“Don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob,
Jeshurun,[a] whom I have chosen. Isaiah 44: 1-2 NET
Beloved Only because of Mercy and Grace
For I will proclaim the name[b] of the Lord;
you must acknowledge the greatness of our God.
4 As for the Rock,[c] his work is perfect,
for all his ways are just.
He is a reliable God who is never unjust,
he is fair[d] and upright.
5 His people have been unfaithful[e] to him;
they have not acted like his children[f]—this is their sin. Deuteronomy 32:3-5 NET
That was true of them and that is true of us. Yet, note the way God addressed them.
But Jeshurun[ah] became fat and kicked;
you[ai] got fat, thick, and stuffed!
Then he deserted the God who made him,
and treated the Rock who saved him with contempt.
You forgot[am] the Rock who fathered you,and put out of mind the God who gave you birth. (Deuteronomy 32: 15,18 NET)
Nothing can rob your joy; but certainly, you can bury it at times. When you run after other things, putting them higher than God himself—the desert can rise around you. Your joy can turn into a dry and parched land. Yet, even there for God’s beloved there is hope. For He will come, and He will circumcise your heart until all is cut away and you then can love Him with all your heart, your mind and your strength. That means, even the trials and tribulations that God allows in our life is an act of His Mercy and Grace toward us. He loves us too much to leave us where He found us.
Therefore, We CAN SAY
2 My brothers and sisters,[d] consider it nothing but joy[e] when you fall into all sorts of trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. 5 But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. James 1:2-6 NET
Then let my prayer be: Lord, whatever trial I must face today, give me wisdom to see that it is your hand of grace ended out to me. Give me your heart to face the trials as they come. A heart filled with mercy, grace and love is what I desire more than anything. Let me learn more of you, whatever it takes, that I might love you more than anything. Trusting You, my Lord and King, let me see the beauty in the trial and realize no one and nothing can rob Your joy from my heart.
I must confess that as this week began, I had a lot of questions that seemed unanswered, a lot of sorrow I could not understand and heartbreak, I could not justify. However, God sent mighty warriors to my rescue, insights of wisdom only He could, prayers of many saints, and the perfect sermons to restore my joy. The trial hasn’t changed, but my heart has–I love and trust God with the trial. He is my joy and my greatest treasure, always.
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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