After the storms have passed, after we have summited the mountains? Then … do we dare to ask now what?
I suggested we read Deuteronomy 8. I read it, then I listened to it … a couple of times. It amazed me what I heard that I missed when I was reading the words quietly to myself.
Deuteronomy is a book that instructs us about work and rest, relationships, leadership and justice. An interesting combination of subjects that impact all of our lives.
There are two messages or themes in Deuteronomy:
- “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deut. 6:4-5).
- “I am the Lord your God…you shall have no other gods before me.” (Deut. 5:6-7)
We need to keep these in mind as we read the book, as we read chapter 8.
When we go through difficult times we often cling to God, to his word. It is when the struggles are the most intense that we cry out to him, recognizing how helpless we are without him. It is easy and natural to love him with our everything, to have no other gods. Though this is not always the case, for when we struggle the most is often when we cry out why God?
then again, maybe asking God why is a sign that we love do love him alone, for he is who we ask, confirming our trust of him.
God has broad shoulders … he can carry such heavy questions … it is not a sign of spiritual weakness to ask God the tough questions. He wants us to ask, to cry out, to wag our finger at him … because he knows our thoughts already and he knows the heart behind them.
So, we haven’t really gotten into Deuteronomy 8 yet (this is how my brain works), but we know two important themes for all of Deuteronomy:
- “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deut. 6:4-5).
- “I am the Lord your God…you shall have no other gods before me.” (Deut. 5:6-7)
This is the beginning of our search for an answer to now what? after the tough mountain has been climbed, now what?
Keep reading Deuteronomy 8. Try listening to it.
itsawonderfilledlife 