I don't know about you, but I'm finding as the years go by, as family life gets busier, and as my mental capacity dwindles, I need little reminders. As such, I've learned to take full advantage of my phone's built-in organizational features. I set alarms for just about everything, schedule reminders for different events, and create checklists, grocery lists, and notes galore. I even use the stopwatch to monitor my children's screen time!
We've come a long way from tying the proverbial string around our finger when we need a good reminder, but despite all the advances in technology we can still forget some of the most important things. Things like: God goes before us. He fights for us. He carries us when we are wandering in the desert, and He shows us the way to go. These are the truths of which we desperately need to be reminded!
Deuteronomy, which means second law, records Moses' impassioned plea with the nation he'd grown to love; a plea to remember where they'd come from as slaves in Egypt, where they'd been on their journey in the desert, and where they were going as God's chosen people. After forty long years, the Israelites stood once again poised on the threshold of the Promised Land—a momentous occasion which compelled Moses to the swan song of his life as the leader of the people.
"...Moses began to expound [God's] law..." (Deut. 1:5). The Hebrew word translated "expound" meant to dig deeply, or to mine. Moses understood the pivotal importance of digging into God's Word deeply. He and his countrymen spent forty years being strengthened and transformed by it, and now they were allowing it to prepare them for the most crucial test of their lives!
Jesus Himself remembered and drew from Deuteronomy during His own temptation in the desert, demonstrating a heart that cherished and understood the power of God's Word (Matt. 4). The apostle Peter, when speaking of God's promises and the qualities of a godly life, said, "So I will always remind you of these things even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have" (2 Pet. 1:12, emphasis added). Remember: God goes before us on our journey, preparing us through His Word.
Moses also recounted Israel's rebellion against the Lord the first time He brought them to the edge of the Promised Land. He said, "But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God. You grumbled in your tents and said, 'The Lord hates us; so He brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us'" (Deut. 1:26–27).
Despite God's miraculous deliverance and promises to them, the previous generation disqualified themselves from entering the land due to their unbelief. And unbelief made the people unable to trust. Did you notice the Israelites' grumblings were rooted in believing the lie that God hated them? We can't hope to trust God if we don't know His character, believe He loves us, and understand He has our best interests at heart!
Moses tried to encourage the doubting, fearful rabble by telling them, "Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert" (Deut. 1:29–31, emphasis added). Remember: God fights for us on our journey, encouraging us with His promises.
Again Moses reminds the people of God's faithfulness in the desert: "There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place" (Deut. 1:31). Water from a rock. Manna from heaven. A veritable sea of quail. Clothes and shoes that didn't wear out. Over and over God demonstrated to His people that He was trustworthy; He was reliable; He would see them through!
The strengthening of Israel's faith during their desert wanderings proved vital for entering the Promised Land for a significant reason: Obedience to God is the result of true faith, not the means by which we achieve it. We cannot attempt to obey God without first being saved by grace through faith, and even then obedience is the result of His work within us (Eph. 2:8–11)! Remember: God carries us on our journey, strengthening us by His faithfulness.
But the people failed to remember where they'd come from, where they'd been, and where they were going. "In spite of this, you did not trust in the Lord your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go" (Deut. 1:32–33). God's purpose in our deserts is to train us and strengthen our relationship with Him—but it is foolish to willingly remain there!
If we fail to move beyond a "desert relationship" with the Lord, we will forfeit a "promised land" relationship with Him. Moses and his successor, Joshua, were a living illustration of this truth (v. 37–38). Moses represents God’s law, while Joshua represents God’s salvation. He even shares the name of our Savior: "Yeshua" in Hebrew, meaning God saves. The law prepared Israel for the Promised Land, but it could not lead them in. Remember: God shows us the way, and the way is Jesus!
We never outgrow our need to remember where we've come from, where we've been, and where we're going. A good reminder may mean the difference between perishing in the desert of sin, or entering into the fulfillment of God's promises for our lives as His chosen people! So don't forget to remind yourself of what's most important: God goes before you on your journey, He fights for you and carries you, and He will always show you the Way!
Lord, thank You for the little reminders You place in our lives—a timely, encouraging word from a friend; a verse of Scripture that keeps finding its way to our souls; a song that draws our hearts to gratitude and worship. Help us to recall even now how far we’ve come on our journey with You so that we are not tempted to lose heart. May Your Spirit remind us constantly of Your great love: You go before us, You fight for us, You carry us, and You show us the way. Guide us as we seek the fulfillment of Your promises for our lives! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Discussion Questions
- Can you recall a time in your life when God prepared you for something through His Word? Do you find He likes to use repetition to get your attention? Share your experience.
- It’s usually when we look back on events in our lives that we see how God has fought for us, even if we didn’t know it at the time. Do you see God’s deliverance in your past? How does this encourage you for the future battles you may face? Share your thoughts.
- We all struggle with doubt at times. How has your faith been significantly strengthened by God’s proving His faithfulness? Share one way you’ve grown as a follower of Jesus.
- Read Hebrews 12:2. God shows us the way, and the way is Jesus. It’s important to keep our eyes fixed on Him! How does Jesus fix your eyes on Him daily? Share how the Holy Spirit speaks to you and moves you to remember Christ in the midst of your day-to-day life.
- If you are comfortable doing so, please share any prayer requests you might have so that we can be praying for you!