Highlights In Today's Reading:
Think about the strange ending for the great lawgiver of the Hebrew people; he's not allowed to enter the promised land. Insight revealed by Moses gives a remarkable revelation of the Messiah (32:4,31).
There was spiritual insight in the last words spoken by Moses to the people of the second generation: There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun (Israel). . . . The eternal God is thy Refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy before thee (33:26-27).
There is enough power in His outstretched arms to lift up every downcast person. His love reaches out to care for the most degraded one and to protect and shelter even the weakest. His arms have power unlimited and unconquerable. The everlasting arms are a great comfort to the child of God in the midst of this world's perplexities and conflicts which threaten to discourage, defeat, and destroy us every day. His everlasting arms extend far enough to embrace every person in the world, and are strong enough never to get weary and open enough to accept all who will come to Him.
God is almighty, righteous, holy, and wise. Mankind has wandered far from Him in numberless paths of sin; but He has revealed His love by providing for our return through the atonement of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. By the grace of His Holy Spirit He draws us to Himself and saves us from otherwise inevitable ruin so that we may enjoy eternal life with Him. It is of the utmost importance that we seek . . . the Lord while He may be found, call . . . upon Him while He is near (Isaiah 55:6).
Having God as our refuge does not imply that we will have a great abundance of this world's possessions or will be free from cares and sorrows. Some of the best of God's saints were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented (Hebrews 11:37). Our earthly life is the only opportunity to prepare for eternity. All trials and sufferings are primarily tests of our faith as well as a means of developing our spiritual insights. We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Romans 8:37). Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him (I Corinthians 2:9).
In every decree that issues from His throne, He has in view the final redemption of His people.
We have but one purpose for life that is above all else. Seek . . . first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. . . . Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and Great Commandment (Matthew 6:33; 22:37-38).
Thought for Today:
When we come to the end of our lives it will not be possessions nor popularity that will comfort us. Can we say with the Apostle Paul: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (II Timothy 4:7)?
Christ Revealed:
As our Rock (Deuteronomy 32:31). Christ was that spiritual Rock that followed (accompanied) them (I Cor. 10:4).
Word Studies:
32:6 requite =b> repay; 32:15 Jeshurun =b> upright; a symbolic name for Israel; waxen fat =b> became prosperous and complacent; 32:44 Hoshea =b> Joshua; 33:17 unicorns =b> wild oxen; push =b> drive.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by M. Ora Anderson • Assistant to the Executive Director of the IBRA in our Washington DC Branch: Terry Hall • Government Officials: Sen. Kent Conrad (ND) and Gov. Mitt Romney (MA) • Country: Georgia (5.38 million) west and central Transcaucasia between Asia and Europe • Major languages: Georgian and Russian • Religious opposition to Christianity • 57% Georgian (and Russian) Orthodox; 21.2% Muslim; 5% Armenian Apostolic; .8% Catholic (Greek-Catholic); .5% Protestant (mainly Baptist); .5% Jewish; 15% Atheist/Agnostic • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to lead you in all that you do (Matthew 6:13).
Optional Reading: John 3
Memory Verse for the Week: I Peter 1:15
