YEAR 2, WEEK 17, Day 4, Thursday, 24 April 2025

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Deuteronomy+2

Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 24 April 2025:

Deuteronomy 2:3 — You have been traveling around this mountain country long enough. Turn northward.

This was a turning point in Israel’s journey through the wilderness. After years of wandering, God tells His people it’s time to move forward. God is not a God of endless delay—He has a purpose and a direction, and when the time is right, He calls His people to advance. Spiritually, this speaks to seasons in our lives where we may feel stuck, repeating the same cycles. But when God says “enough,” it’s a call to step forward in faith. Christians should remain sensitive to God’s timing and direction, willing to move when He says move, even if the next step leads into unfamiliar or challenging terrain.

Deuteronomy 2:4, 5 — They will be afraid of you. So be very careful. Do not contend with them….

Fear can be a very dangerous thing in relationships, and the Christian must be the bigger person and rise above conflicts which might arise from another’s insecure misjudgments and defensiveness. “Do not contend with them.” Christians are called to recognize when people are acting out of fear or insecurity and respond with grace, not aggression. Instead of challenging, we should seek peace and trust God’s boundaries and timing. As Romans 12:18 (ESV) reminds us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

Deuteronomy 2:5 — Do not contend with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.

This verse reflects God’s sovereign hand in the affairs of nations and people. Israel was not to fight the descendants of Esau because God had given them their land. The lesson is that God honors His promises—even to other nations—and He sets boundaries that His people are to respect. This teaches humility and trust. God has a plan for others that may not include us, and He has a plan for us that does not require us to take what isn’t ours. Practically, Christians are called to honor God’s boundaries, to avoid unnecessary conflict, and to trust Him to provide our own “portion” in His time and way. Don’t worry about what God has given others, don’t compare or constantly worry about what you might be missing or missing out on. Take what God has given you, time, treasure, talents, opportunities, circumstances, relationships, and gratefully, joyfully make the most of them to God’s glory and to the benefit of others.

Deuteronomy 2:7 — For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.

Moses reminds the people that even in the wilderness—a time of discipline and delay—God was present and faithful. This verse teaches the principle of God’s sustaining grace. Even when life feels stalled or we’re not where we hoped to be, God sees us, provides for us, and doesn’t leave us. Christians can find deep comfort in this reminder: God does not abandon us in hard seasons. We can move forward with gratitude, knowing that His provision is constant and perfect, even when progress feels slow.

We must learn over time to view our lives not through the lens of what we lack or fear, but through the eternal lens of God’s unfailing presence, providence, and love. The Israelites were in a wilderness—a dry, barren place of testing and uncertainty—but God was with them, providing everything they needed every step of the way. They lacked nothing, not because the wilderness changed, but because God never left them. He knew their journey, every twist and turn, and He blessed their obedience and sustained them in their weakness.

As Christians, we are called to see our lives the same way. Romans 8 reminds us that God works all things for our good—specifically, for our transformation into Christlike character (Romans 8:28–29). He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also graciously give us all things (Romans 8:32)? This doesn’t mean we get everything we want, but it does mean that in His perfect wisdom, He gives us everything we need. What we lack in the moment is never a sign of God’s absence but rather a sign of His divine protection and provision – lack is often exactly what God knows we need but would never request.

When we live with anxiety about the future or complain about our present, we repeat the sin of Israel in the wilderness and of Adam and Eve in paradise: we doubt the goodness of God in the middle of His provision. We forget that His presence is our provision. Ephesians 5:16 tells us to make the most of every opportunity, and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Every moment is a chance to glorify God, to grow, and to bear fruit—not just to survive, but to thrive in Christ. God isn’t wasting any situation. He’s using every detail to refine us, to free us, and to form Christ in us.

When we renew our minds (Romans 12:2), we begin to see life not as something happening to us, but something happening for us—crafted by a Father who understands everything and loves us more than we can comprehend. Our wilderness becomes our classroom. Our trials become our training. And every circumstance becomes an opportunity to reflect His glory and trust His heart. In Him, we lack nothing.

What isn’t working in our lives is often what is working on us, as God’s refining fire. Just like gold is refined by fire to remove impurities, God uses the heat of life’s frustrations, delays, disappointments, and detours to shape us into the image of Christ.

Those moments when plans fall apart, when prayers seem unanswered, when life feels stalled or unfair—those are not signs of God’s absence. They are signs of His intimate craftsmanship. He’s not just fixing our circumstances; He’s forming our character. The very things we’d avoid or change are often the things He uses most powerfully to make us more patient, more humble, more compassionate, and more Christlike.

Malachi 3:3 says, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” That means God isn’t distant in our difficulties—He’s right there, tending the fire, watching us closely, ensuring the heat never gets too high, and waiting until He can see His reflection in us. What we think is working against us is often working within us, to bring out what God planted long ago. So, yes—what isn’t working is working. And in Christ, nothing is wasted.

Finally, trust in The Lord to make up for what others don’t do for you. The people of Esau should have shown great hospitality to their Israelite brothers, but instead they treated them like unwanted strangers. God warned the Israelites not to get too upset when treated poorly by “brothers,” reminding them, “For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness.” We fight with others when we think we need to defend our honor, our rights, what is ours, or our security. We get upset when people don’t treat us as they ought to, but God says, bear the burden of maltreatment (“…purchase food from them with money….”) and walk on, trusting in God to make up the loss.

• Romans 12:17, 21 — “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all…. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Deuteronomy 2:19 — I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot for a possession.

Remember that God is also caring for others, not just you. Be careful not to resent or covet God’s gifts to others which He hasn’t given you. Be very careful not to accuse God of unfairness, which is the height of arrogance and rebellion. Grumbling, jealousy, and envy are incredible insults against God. Do you see it that way?

• 2 Corinthians 10:12 — Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

Deuteronomy 2:24 — “Rise up, set out on your journey and go over the Valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession, and contend with him in battle.”

This verse marks the beginning of Israel’s entry into the land of promise. God tells them it’s time not only to move but to fight. The principle is that sometimes, walking in obedience requires effort and courage. God gives the victory, but He calls us to show up for the battle. For Christians, this speaks to the importance of active faith. When God leads us into a new chapter, we must be willing to engage—to take risks, to resist fear, and to trust that His promises are worth fighting for. Obedience may require bold action, but God goes before us. Courage and boldness come from wholeheartedly trusting in the Lord and in His eternal reward, rather than ourselves and earthly rewards. When you can finally turn your life over to God in confidence, you will no longer have anything to worry about, and you will be strong and courageous.

• Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
• Psalm 27:1 — The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
• Proverbs 3:5–6 — Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
• Isaiah 41:10 — Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
• 2 Timothy 1:7 — For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
• Psalm 31:24 — Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!
• Ephesians 6:10 — Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Deuteronomy 2:30 — But Sihon the king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him, for the LORD your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might give him into your hand.

God may allow conflict in your life for His purposes. He will not always reveal to you what He is doing, but often it is not mostly about you.

Deuteronomy 2:36 — From Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and from the city that is in the valley, as far as Gilead, there was not a city too high for us. The Lord our God gave all into our hands.

No city, no obstacle, was too great for God’s people because God delivered them. The lesson is clear: what is impossible for man is possible with God. When we walk in obedience and trust, He gives us strength and success in what He calls us to do. Christians are encouraged to remember that the battles we face are not won by our strength alone, but by the presence and power of God. Our role is to step forward in faith; His role is to bring the breakthrough.

Remember, God gives us power and authority not to fulfill our own agendas, but to accomplish His will. When our desires are aligned with His, we can walk in confidence and spiritual authority. But where our will departs from His, we lose that power—because He will not empower disobedience or self-glory. Much of our doubt, hesitation, or lack of confidence stems not from weakness, but from uncertainty: Are we truly pursuing God’s will or just dressing up our own desires in spiritual language? And when we ask God for clarity, sometimes it feels like He is silent.

Why? Because God is not merely raising servants—He is raising sons and daughters. He’s not programming robots who follow commands blindly, but shaping people who know His heart, love His ways, and are growing in the kind of wisdom that reflects His character in every situation. He could make us do what He wants—but He’d rather we want what He wants and understand what that would look like in a particular situation. And how does God raise wise, Christlike decision-makers? He trains us to make Spirit-led decisions from the foundation of His Word and the renewing of our minds.

When we walk in God’s will, we can be absolutely confident—nothing can ultimately stand against us, for “the Lord is at hand.” And when we misstep, we can also be confident that God, in His grace, will lovingly correct us. Sometimes that means failure. Sometimes pain. But discomfort is the birthplace of growth. Our goal in every moment must be to “seek first the kingdom of God,” trusting that everything else will fall into place as He sees fit.

How do we seek God’s will? By immersing ourselves in His Word, praying without ceasing, practicing obedience daily, confessing and removing sin that dulls our spiritual sensitivity, seeking wise counsel, and walking in constant gratitude for His grace.

And we must not mistake difficulty or delay for disobedience. Not everything that looks like failure is failure in God’s eyes. Not every closed door means “give up.” The Bible is filled with stories where what seemed like defeat was actually a doorway to divine destiny. God sent Moses to Pharaoh knowing full well Pharaoh would reject him. Jesus’ crucifixion looked like tragedy—but it was triumph. It was the very path God had ordained for the salvation of the world.

Sometimes, God’s will for your life involves enduring apparent failure, rejection, or silence. Sometimes He asks you to remain faithful in a place that looks fruitless. And sometimes, the victory He’s preparing is far different—and far greater—than what you ever imagined.

So when you face a closed door, what do you do? Turn around? Force it open? Wait? The truth is, you won’t always know what to do. But you can trust the One who knows all things. Make the wisest, godliest choice you can, rooted in Scripture and prayer—and leave the outcome in His hands. God’s ultimate goal for you is not just what you accomplish, but who you become in Christ. And that work is never wasted.

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 24 April 2025: Today, begin by thanking God—not only for the blessings that make you smile, but also for the challenges that shape your soul. Acknowledge that He is perfect in wisdom and love, and that He is providing for you in ways far beyond what you can see or comprehend. Trust that nothing about this day is random—every detail has passed through His sovereign hands. Then, step into the day with the joyful goal of glorifying Him—whatever comes. Let go of thoughts about what you lack, what others have, or what might happen tomorrow. Those things are not your burden today. Instead, receive what’s in front of you as God’s personal provision and invitation. Make the most of it. Aim to walk in obedience to God’s Word, one moment at a time. Stay rooted in His presence, bearing the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Let gratitude guide your outlook, and enthusiasm stir your actions. Be bold, because He is with you; be humble, because He is God. Be watchful for any shift in attitude—a sign that you’re drifting into self-reliance—and gently return to Him in prayer. He is never far. Consider journaling your experience today: where you noticed God’s presence, where you struggled, and how His grace met you. In doing so, you’ll train your heart to see His hand more clearly and your soul to rest more fully in Him.