Day 103 - Deuteronomy 8-9 & Psalm 103

 Julie

There was quite a bit that really stood out in today's reading, but I think this passage is important to begin with; 

2 And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you ^wthese forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, ^xtesting you ^yto know what was in your heart, ^zwhether you would keep his commandments or not. 3 And he humbled you and ^alet you hunger and ^bfed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that ^cman does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word¹ that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 ^dYour clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that, ^eas a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you. 6 So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. 

A lot of this passage should sound familiar as it is used frequently and as a constant reminder of our need to trust in God. However, putting it into the context of the time, this is Moses telling them why they wandered for 40 years and that it was intentional. While God did save them from their slavery and oppression, he wanted to make sure that they would believe and trust. Moses also points out all of the things God did for them. It's as if this is his way of telling them that they need to trust as they are moving into the promised land. He goes on in Chapter 9 to tell them what he sacrificed and did for them in order to keep God from basically smiting them all. By telling them all of these things and explaining in detail he is saying that they need to remember all that God has done, all that Moses has done, and that they are now responsible for their own actions and if they do not live up to God's commandments that he will remove them from their land. 

I don't think that this has changed much over time. I think all of this still holds true today. Our faith is constantly tested and when we fail those tests we are shown that and when we pass them we are given what is desired. God is also asking us to follow his commandments and when we as a people are not doing that then he is going to remove us from what he has given us.

Psalm 103 is a great fit for our reading today and really exemplifies how we should praise God for things that Moses is talking about in the two chapters above. As I was reading this Psalm I was singing 10,000 Reasons, the song that was obviously written from this Psalm. Which is a great reminder to worship him for all of the blessing that he give us. 

 

Michelle

I found this reading eye opening today.  What stands out is when Moses is speaking to the people about driving out the other people of the land and tells them not to be conceited basically, saying don't say it is because of your righteousness because that is not the reason.  The Lord is driving them out because of their wickedness, not because of you and your righteousness or integrity, as you are a stiff-necked people still.  He goes on to remind them that they quickly turn from the Lord and provides examples of such and reminds them that they are to stay focused on the Lord and all he does for them.  

The psalm does appear to be the inspiration of that song.  A reminder to praise God.