It has been a fascinating journey at times on mountain peaks so high I can not imagine ever having doubt. At other times, I have trudged through valleys that carried me into the depth of sorrow. The wilderness, with all its uncertainties and questions, surrounded me at times. Each step of the way along this journey, there has been one constant—that is the Lord He is God, there is no other. In Deuteronomy, Moses reminded the nation of Israel of this truth. Every step of their journey had one purpose. That they might really know the Lord He is God, there is no other. But the question then arises, does your heart really know that? Or does anything else capture your heart? Is He enthroned upon your heart?
How often did Moses warn the people not to allow their hearts to roam so far from God? Yet, we tend to, just as they wander so easily. Worries, concerns, and even grief enters our hearts; pulling our focus off Him and onto our momentary comforts. Still, were we to recognize that trials come so we might run steadfastly into His arms of love. For all who know Him and have tasted of His goodness, we find that even the wilderness has purpose. Through it all, God reveals Himself to us that we might know the Lord, He is God and there is no other beside Him. Oh, how I long for the day that I might always rejoice in Him and never allow my heart to stray again or my mind to doubt. Still, even when I do stray, He remains faithful to His covenant promise to me. Sealed in the blood of Christ, I am forever His and He mine—no matter what.
When We Fall
Just as they were preparing to enter the promised land, Moses reminded the nation that God, He is Lord. He predicted with such clarity that they would grow complacent, then seek other gods to worship, forsaking their first love. That would lead to God intervening by allowing other nations to overtake them. But, even then, all they had to do was cast aside the other idols and turn once more to God.
But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice. (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. (Deuteronomy 4:29-31).
This was the lesson learned through the wilderness journey. It was the lesson that echoed through the ages, from the very beginning.
Do You not See?
For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live? Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him. (Deuteronomy 4:32-35)
It was through all that they experienced that God was able to reveal Himself. Could He have any other way driven it so deeply into their hearts? They could not have known of His Magnificent Glory without such a journey. Can we know His Mercy had we never seen His Justice? Is it not equally important to know His Might as it is to know His gentle grace? We could never have known of His Love had we not seen the depth of it. Afterall, He sent His only begotten son, His perfect word made flesh to pay the penalty of our sin. What greater love could we have ever seen! Yet, would we have known of it had He not allowed evil to exist? Or given us the free will to choose or reject Him?
To Really Know the Lord, He is God
Every step of this earthly journey for me and for every believer is this.
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, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, forever. (Deuteronomy 4:39-40).
The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Proverbs 16:4
For by Him (Jesus Christ, the perfect image of the Invisible God) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. (Colossians 1:16-17)
Concluding Thoughts:
Are there mysteries about God I cannot understand fully now? Certainly! I may not know how both Predestination and free will are both equally true, but they are. Do I need to fully understand how God is present in this moment to answer prayer, yet at the same moment sees, reigns, and is Sovereign over every moment that follows this one for every day of my life? Of course, I can’t comprehend that fully. How did He fully see, know and choose me before He ever created the heaven and earth? I cannot fully comprehend such magnitude of who He is because I dwell in this time/space continuum; but He does not. He who created space.
Even the big bang theory recognizes there was no time or space before it suddenly came into being. God spoke space into being—His Word-Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit—the three in one created it all! Yet, He chose to love me. Shouldn’t that cause my heart to rejoice always and forever in Him Alone? All that has happened in my life, even the tears have been that I might know the Lord, He is God and there is none other.
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
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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