We started Deuteronomy yesterday…I totally love this book. It was with great anticipation that I sped thru chap 3 in hopes of getting to chap 4 where all the “meat” was…but I got stuck in 3:23-26 where Moses is literally pleading for his life. Moses messed up big time at Meribah and blatantly disobeyed God in front of his people and for that act of public unbelief, God declared that Moses will not enter into the promised land. (Numbers 20-2:13)
So in Deuteronomy 3:25 Moses says “Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan…”
God responds very abruptly –
“Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again.“
My wise Elder Brother Sam the other night at a meeting mentioned this word translated ‘enough’ is the same word used in Psalms 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God.” or…
“ENOUGH from you! Know that I am God.”
The NASB translation says “Cease striving and know that I am God.”
This isn’t to say that God will ever turn us away when we seek him with our whole hearts (Deut 3:29), but this complex Hebrew word seems to indicate that there is more of an point to God saying “Be still,” not the coffee cup slogan curl up on my lap and let me pat you on the back “Be still” but maybe more of the “Be still!” with a little edge to it – because “I AM God.” All powerful, all knowing, all wise – when we come to him with requests do we come to Him knowing that he is God with that fear and awe in our hearts? Knowing that he can do ALL things? Knowing that he is all sovereign? And asking Him to act for His glory, not ours?
We praise God that through Jesus Christ, his perfect life of obedience, sacrifice, and resurrection that God hears our prayers and wants us to come to him and pour out our hearts to him. We are HOLY and DEARLY LOVED by this all powerful God thru Christ. (Col 3:12)
He sees those who’s faith is in Jesus as justified! Our relationship with God that sin fractured, has been restored by God sending Jesus to be our reconciler.
Holy Spirit, come and work more intensely in our lives to will and act in our lives for God’s glory and may we understand more today that God is GOD of all — and may our hearts be more conformed to Jesus and His glory then our own. May we cease striving and worrying for ourselves and strive for your glory. May we press on toward the goal toward the prize for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus ” (Phil 3:14)
—
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
(Philippians 2:13 ESV)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
(2 Corinthians 3:17-18 ESV)
Mike Ruel 