June 4. Deuteronomy 33

June 4. Deuteronomy 33

We move in time from the triumph of the rescue from Egypt to forty years later and Moses’ last words to the Israelites. These same people who danced and sang for joy at their unlikely victory over the Egyptians have wandered in the desert for forty years, too afraid to trust that same God who rescued them, to bring them into the promised land. They are a bit more weathered at this point, and their leader, Moses, has got to be just a tad bit tired! I love this beautiful chapter of the Bible. It’s full of Moses’ wisdom.

Moses was schooled in the wilderness himself and did not start leading the people until he was 80 years old. It takes a long time to mature a human being! Moses met with God. He watched God’s hand move in the lives of this huge people living in the desert. He saw God feed them. He knew God well. It’s now time for him to bless the stubborn, strong people he has shepherded. We can learn a lot from Moses about his love for God in this passage. We can also glean from the way he blessed each tribe ways to perhaps pray blessings over our own dear children and grandchildren.

I love praying a prayer of blessing for my grandchildren whenever I am with them. Their parents kindly let me tuck them into bed. I get to lay my hand on their dear heads or shoulders and pray over them, that God would bless them and enable them to serve Him faithfully all their lives. What a joy to pour out my love for them in this way. What did you learn about God and about prayer from this passage? Let’s glean practical truths that will help us live well in this time in history in which God has placed us!

My verse: Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, ‘Destroy them!”

My response: So many great words in this passage, Lord! WHO is my refuge? You are. You, the eternal God who never fails or ceases. WHOSE arms hold me? The One who is everlasting. I won’t be dropped. WHO is fiercely protective of me, driving out the enemy and destroying him? My Abba-Father, who keeps me safe through all eternity. Grafted in – not His people by natural birth but yes – His people by adoption and spiritual birth. This ancient heritage is also mine. Praise be to God!