Deuteronomy 28-29

Today’s passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=deuteronomy%2028-29&version=NIV

In Chapter 28, Moses warned the Israelites of the consequences for their actions - blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. This reminds me that today, we can count on consequences for our actions just like the Israelites – some are positive blessings for obedience and some are negative curses for disobedience.

In chapter 29, The Lord renewed His covenant through Moses. Moses told the Israelites about the disastrous consequences that would occur if they abandoned God, and then the chapter ends with this verse:

Deuteronomy 29:29 – “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.”

Some commentators suggest that Moses was responding to looks of astonishment that God would use such harsh punishment. Moses was reminding them that although they may not understand God’s big plan, they had to trust that it was a good plan and that He knew what He was doing.

This verse serves as a reminder that God simply doesn’t reveal everything to us, but we have to trust Him anyway. Isaiah 55:8-9 says “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Some things are kept from us because they are just too big for us to wrap our heads around. We simply can’t understand.

Other things are kept from us because God wants us to develop trust in Him. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." If we knew everything, we wouldn’t have to lean on Him to lead us us through our wilderness periods of life. God wants us to lean on him and trust that the plans He has for us are good plans (Jeremiah 29:11).

Instead of revealing everything at once, He keeps us operating on a need to know basis. He will reveal to us exactly what we need to know, when we need to know it. He is not a silent, unavailable God who expects us to figure things out on our own. He gives us direction through scripture, prayer & meditation, and our Christian friends & mentors.

When things don’t quite make sense, sometimes we just have to acknowledge that the Lord’s ways are higher than our ways and that His wisdom and knowledge is beyond us. We can then rest in the knowledge that He is in control.

The last part of the verse – “That we may do all the words of this law” – is important as well. He doesn’t reveal things to us just for the heck of it. He’s given us instructions on how to live our lives that we may bring Him glory. We are instructed to be not just hearers of the word, but doers of the word as James 1:22 says “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” And also Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Just because Jesus came and fulfilled the law, doesn’t mean we are excused from obedience. If we have faith and truly believe, the fruits of the spirit should shine through in our obedience.

So I encourage you to take inventory of your life. Has God revealed a part of His plan to you that you are refusing to submit to? Or is there some detail of His plan that you are just dying for Him to reveal that just needs to be surrendered to Him? Are you a doer of the word, who allows the fruits of the Spirit to shine through in your life? Pray about it and ask God to show you the path!

Today’s post submitted by Kelly Coxe