in retrospect: can’t blame a guy for trying

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 3

Moses pestered the LORD in prayer, hoping that he would relent and allow him to cross the Jordon and see the promised land.  Finally, the LORD told him not to ask again.  God had a plan for Joshua to lead that charge, not Moses.  Perhaps Moses is trying to come to grips with that as he writes.  The message we get from Moses’ life is to be persistent in prayer until you are absolutely sure the answer is no.  God does respond to prayer, and who knows how many have lost their answer because they gave up too soon.

LORD, help us to keep trying – to keep doing battle on our knees before you.

Posted in dependence upon God, perseverance, prayer | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: no cake walk

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 2

Moses looks at the crucial time when he and the Israelites stopped their wandering and set their sites (again) on the promised land.  He sees it all from God’s perspective.  The 38 years were to fulfill God’s promise to prevent the generation that had failed him from keeping their objective. Some lands were prohibited from conquest, others the LORD allowed their rulers to be hardened so that Israel would be forced to do battle – and God would give them victory.  But it all was an ordeal that they went through.  Following God is no cake walk.

LORD, forgive us for feeling let down when we discover how hard following you can be.  Give us your eternal perspective, and help us to be faithful.

Posted in conflict, discernment, faithfulness | Tagged | 1 Comment

in retrospect: challenges of leadership

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

mosesatneboDeuteronomy 1

Moses reflects upon some of the particular challenges he had faced as leader of God’s people.  This sets the tone of Deuteronomy — a book of reflection.  We don’t get a lot of new material in this book, but we do see the history reflected on in a more personal way.  We are hearing the heart and passion of Moses in this book.

LORD, as we face the challenges you set before us, may we be sure to take your side, as Moses did.

Posted in commitment, discernment, leadership, perseverance, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

a protective walk

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 35-36     

By granting refuge to individuals who were accused of murder, the LORD protected those falsely accused.  By prescribing limits, he assured that people could not abuse the law.  The same was true of the inheritance rights. Zelopehad’s daughters could inherit as long as they married within their tribe. 

Our rights end where those of another person begins.  We must be careful to walk our Christian walk with a view to protect our neighbor, showing our love – and God’s love for him.

LORD, give us the wisdom to walk carefully so that we do not take advantage of our rights – and do others wrong.

Posted in church, consideration of others, discernment, freedom, responsibility | Tagged , | 2 Comments

a specific walk

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 33:50-34:29

The LORD did not set the Israelites free for freedom’s sake alone.  He had a plan and a promise — to bring them to a specific place and settle them there to represent him specifically.  He did not care if his people were sincere, religious, or committed if they were inclined to rebel against his plan.  A citizen of Israel had to decide whether he would cooperate with God and do what God wanted.  God would set the limits of his achievement.

Likewise, in the kingdom of Christ, there is  a specific aim to which he has aimed us.  We are not at liberty to decide on some other life objective.  If we want total freedom, that desire would take us to our destruction.  The freedom Jesus offers us is that of walking in the truth.

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:31-32

LORD give us the courage to walk your specific walk.

Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, discernment, discipleship, kingdom of God, will of God | Tagged , | 2 Comments

looking back as we walk

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 33:1-49

Here Moses records the places where Israel had camped on their journey to Canaan and their wandering in the wilderness.  Where they had walked was a testimony both to the LORD’s provision, and to their own stubbornness and rebellion.

As we get older, we have the benefit of looking back on the places we have been, and of trying to discern the lessons God has been teaching us.  If we are wise, we will discern that life is not about making it to a destination as much as it is about getting to know a person — the LORD himself.

LORD, teach us lessons about you from our past.

Posted in discernment, discipleship, plan of God, relationship with God | Tagged | 1 Comment

a considerate walk

Posted on May 27, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 32

Moses did not first oppose Reuben and Gad because they saw an opportunity to take care of their families.  His objection was twofold. First, they had not considered what staying in the Transjordon would do to the other tribes.  Second, they had not considered how much they had been thinking like the majority in the time of the sending out of the twelve spies.  

Their choice to go into battle, and stay at it until all the tribes had their land was wise.  It encouraged the others, and repaired the damage done by the unwise request.

LORD, teach us to be considerate of others when seeking your favor.

Posted in consideration of others, courage, faithfulness, perseverance, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

a victorious walk

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 31

Moses had already known for some time that he would not accompany his people to the promised land.  He had sinned, and there would be consequences.  Nevertheless, God gave him one final victory to show that he was still under grace.  The Moabite Midianites — who had seduced Israel into Baal worship, were wiped out in battle.  This was not only an economic victory. It served to encourage the people as they would be engaged in many battles under Joshua in conquest of the land.  

Our walk in Christ may not be as steady as we want it to be.  We may make mistakes that cost us dearly. But God will still be faithful to himself, and to us.  We should keep expecting the victories that remind us of his faithfulness, even though we cannot presume to be victorious all the time. God’s mercy will triumph over his judgment in the case of his beloved.

LORD, thank you for showing us victories that remind us of your faithfulness.

Posted in confidence, courage, dependence upon God, encouragement, grace, mercy | Tagged | 1 Comment

a responsible walk

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 30

The Israelites were expected to keep their word, just as they expected the LORD to keep his promises to them. 

Men, widows and divorced women were under their own authority, so they were responsible to keep their vows, no matter what.

Unmarried women could be excused of their vows by their fathers, and married women could be excused of their vows by their husbands.  In both these cases, the emphasis is still on responsibility.  The father and husband would be the ones responsible for seeing that the vow is carried out.  If they do not say anything when they hear of the vow, they must be responsible to see that it is carried out.

Jesus warns us not to make rash vows:

“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil” (Matthew 5:37).

Vows are often a type of bargaining with God.  It is very hard to keep such promises, but we are responsible for what we promise.

LORD, give us the wisdom not to promise too much.

Posted in commitment, discernment, responsibility, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

a costly walk

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

brown-skip-army-rangers-marching-in-formation-with-blurNumbers 28-29

The ESV Study Bible states  “It has been calculated that, over the course of a year, these sacrifices involved a total of 113 bulls, 1,086 lambs, over a ton of flour, and 1,000 bottles of oil and wine!”  That is elaborate and expensive worship. 

The fact that the LORD required this kind of expense was an encouragement, because it showed that Israel was going to get to the promised land, and see the prosperity that would allow for this kind of worship.

LORD, thank you that although you require a great deal from us, you also promise to make it possible for us to meet your requirements.

Posted in commitment, future, grace, money, trust, worship | Tagged , | 2 Comments