Preparation and Promise

Deuteronomy Chapter 2 begins Israel's return to the wilderness, with God's instructions leading them. Because of their disobedience, the journey to the Promised Land ultimately takes another thirty-eight years. These chosen pilgrims must learn reassurance in God's Presence, must know security in God's Provision, must find joy in God's Promise. Rebellion of the heart interrupts; God's judgement prepares. And so, they wander in the wilderness in preparation for God's promise.

Read Deuteronomy 2:1-25

The LORD your God has blessed everything you have done and has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the LORD your God has been with you and provided for your every need so that you lacked nothing. Deuteronomy 2:7 NLT

This chapter opens with Moses remembering how God sends the Israelites back into the wilderness for a long time, and Then at last the LORD said to me, 'You have been wandering around in this hill country long enough; turn northward'. (Deuteronomy 2:2-3) Now begins the journey back to Kadesh Barnea, the entry to the Promised Land. Verse 14 reminds, So, thirty-eight years passed from the time we first arrived at Kadesh Barnea . . . until all the men old enough to fight in battle had died in the wilderness. God leads this new, more faithful generation back to the border of the Promised Land. God's faithfulness remains true; God's judgement rendered, His people are now prepared to follow.

How often we complicate God's Plan for our lives, prolong the journey with our self-sufficient attitudes, our self-confident plans, our self-serving agendas. Our disobedience interrupts; God's discipline prepares. The sooner we accept God's Unfailing Love as His Promise to us, recognize God's Abundant Blessings as His Provision, trust God's Enduring Presence, the shorter our journey to the promised land He chooses for us.

Consider this!

• What did the Israelites lack? What was their turning point?
• How is the journey to your promised land going? What preparations does God need you to make?

Adonai ~ You are majesty and mystery, power and presence. You breathe life into all creation, but I do not understand how. You provide for my every need, and I do not lack anything except humility and gratitude. Forgive me when I choose 'good', and You desire 'best'. Prepare my heart as it struggles in the wilderness and waits before Your promise. Prepare my life to enter the promised land You choose for me! Show me how to be more aware of Your Presence. You are Promise ~ then and now and to come! Amen. ~ dho