Deuteronomy 9 -- Not Exactly What You'd Want To Hear From God

The nation was probably rightly embarrassed to hear what God was saying to them through Moses in this chapter:

“You are going in to take the land, not because you are good and honest, but because these nation are evil … It is not because you are good; you are a stubborn people … You would not obey the Lord from the day you left Egypt until you arrived here … The Lord said to me, ‘I have watched these people and they are very stubborn!  Get away so I may destroy them.’ … You have refused to obey the Lord as long as I have known you.”

Not exactly the glowing commendation anyone would hope to receive from God!

They had to be reminded that the land was a gift from God, not a reward for their righteousness.  Pride was still a big danger.  “When we forget the grace of God, we become proud and start thinking we deserve all that God has done for us, and then God has to remind us of His goodness and our sinfulness, and that reminder might be very painful,” my commentary said.

Moses had spent 40 days on Sinai fasting and learning how to lead the people in worship, only to find them worshiping the golden calf!  Then he’d  spent another 40 days there, fasting and “interceding for the people that complained, resisted his leadership, and rebelled against the Lord.  But leaders are tested just as followers are tested, and Moses passed the test.  He showed that his great concern wasn’t his own fame or position, but the glory of God and the good of the people.”

Some other things popped out as I read my commentary: 

“It’s a sin to complain (Phil 2:14-15; 1 Cor 10;10).

“Sometimes God’s greatest judgment is to let us have our own way (Romans 1:22-28).

“Unbelief is a sin of the will; it’s tempting the Lord and saying, ‘I will not trust the Lord and do what He commands me to do.’”

“God is always faithful to His promises; when we don’t allow Him to rule, He will overrule and still accomplish His purposes.  However, we will miss the blessings that He planned for us.”

Father, help me to trust You and not to complain about anything You are doing in my life.  Show me clearly what You desire, and help me to trust and follow, knowing that You have blessings planned for my obedience.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford