Bible Pathway - Mar. 12, 2011
Read Deuteronomy 32:1
Highlights:
The prophetic Song of Moses (Deut. 32:1-43). Don't miss how to prolong your days (32:46-47)! Moses blesses the 12 tribes; death of Moses; Joshua succeeds Moses.
There is spiritual insight in the last words spoken by Moses to this 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 (Deut. 33:26-27).
There is enough power in the outstretched arms of our Lord 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. They are strong enough never to get weary and open enough to accept anyone who will come to Him.
Although we have wandered far from Him into paths of sin, God is merciful and longsuffering. He has revealed His love by providing for our return through His blood, the atonement of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Rom. 5:9). By the power of the Holy Spirit our Lord draws us to Himself and saves us from otherwise inevitable hell 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 (Is. 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 saints of God were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented (Heb. 11:37). All trials and sufferings are tests of our faith as well as a means of developing our spiritual insights. We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Rom. 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 Cor. 2:9).
In every decree that issues from His throne, He has in view the final redemption of His faithful people.
We have but one purpose in life: Seek . . . first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33).
Thought for Today:
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (I Pet. 4:12-13).
Christ Revealed:
As our Rock (Deut. 32:31). Christ was that spiritual Rock (Petra) that followed (accompanied) them (I Cor. 10:4).
Word Studies:
32:3 publish proclaim; 32:19 abhorred despised; 32:20 froward disloyal, perverse, corrupt; 32:41 whet sharpen; 32:44 Hoshea Joshua; 33:9 Covenant binding agreement with all qualifications given by God; 33:28 corn grain; 33:29 tread upon their high places trample down their heathen altars; 34:2 utmost sea mediterranean; 34:6 sepulchre grave; 34:7 abated lessened; 34:12 great terror marvelous deeds.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Sen. Kent Conrad (ND) • Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Country: Afghanistan (22.7 million) in central Asia • Major languages: Pastu and Afghan Persian (Dari) • Hostile to Christian evangelization. For a Muslim to convert to Christianity is automatic execution • 97.5% Muslim; 1.5% Parsee; .35% Hindu; .1% Traditional ethic; .1% Baha'i; .02% Christian; .02% Sikh; .01% non-Religious • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that the Lord will enable you to comfort and encourage others (II Cor. 1:3-4).
Optional Reading: John 3:1
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Peter 1:22
