Writing It Randomly

Leah DiPascal made some valid points in  The Secret Things* . We don't know everything, because God keeps secrets from us. Now that I have learned more about God's character, I am sure that He does it for us.  ["The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." - Deut. 29:29] There's been no one on this planet who knew it all (not since Jesus, that is). There are many who study, theorise, deduce, estimate, guess. Some have even been able to scientifically prove a multitude of facts & findings, but some answers continue to elude us. There is such joy in searching for answers! Think back to the last time you learned something new. Did it also leave you with a giddy sense of accomplishment? That joyous feeling is why I think He takes His time in revealing all His secrets to us. Maybe you think this elaborate tactic seems like overkill - a lot ...

God does not tempt. He tests. We should know this already because the Bible told us so. Centuries ago. ["Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness ... to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart..." - Deut. 8:2] Now if you didn't know about this, or if you keep forgetting, don't feel guilty. Same here - if it wasn't for Lysa TerKeurst's First5 teaching on Deuteronomy 8 last year, I'd probably still be confused. In it, she asked, " Might God be using these humbling circumstances to get you to a place of deep and unshakable trust in Him? " What a #TruthBomb moment, right? Now before I chatter on, let's make a mental note NOT to confuse His spiritual tests with temptation, though. According to the main definitions on  Dictionary.com , there is a clear distinction between the two words: tempt /tɛmpt/ verb ~ to attempt to persuade or entice to do something, esp something morally wrong o...

Suffering from depression is like stumbling around in familiar territory. Just as you catch a glimpse of an exit, you take a wrong turn and 'round and 'round you go. In her teaching on Deuteronomy 2 'Turning North' Lysa TerKeurst highlighted that "He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear" [ 1 Cor 10:13] . I find enormous comfort in this revelation. After their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites found themselves wandering the desert for 40 years. They must've felt hopelessly lost most of the time, but God always gives you a way out. For them, it was Moses. For me, there are numerous healthier options. Dakhla Lighthouse, Western Sahara [PC: JB Dodane]

As I first read through Deuteronomy, it seemed a neverending list of laws. In reality, God was using Moses to show the Israelites how every choice they'd make would have a consequence. Krista Williams' teaching on Deuteronomy 27, Life Is Not A Coin Toss , brought this home for me. I realised that these lists of blessings and curses weren't just strict ultimatums. They were guiding God's people by showing them the consequences of each choice before them: Follow God's Word, or turn away from Him and go your own way, alone. You see, we always have a choice. In any and every situation, we have the freedom to make our own decisions on how to proceed. This freedom is a luxury gifted by God. Use it wisely.

I've said it before  and I'll say it again: Deuteronomy is a very difficult part of the Bible to read. However, after going through it with First5 last year, I cannot help but think on it from time to time. It bothers me that I have trouble reconciling all the laws of bloodshed with Jesus' loving manner in the New Testament. Reading this helps a bit, but I'm not even going to attempt to explain all the sensitive issues that arise from this book as a whole. For that, I'm too ill equipped. What I'd like to do today, is to pause at 22:25-27 for a few minutes, if I may.  [" 25 But if out in the country a man happens to meet a young woman pledged to be married and rapes her, only the man who has done this shall die.  26 Do nothing to the woman; she has committed no sin deserving death. This case is like that of someone who attacks and murders a neighbor,  27 for the man found the young woman out in the country, and though the betrothed woman screamed, ther...

I guess it's safe to say that Deuteronomy is not one of the 'popular' books in the Bible. I also find it difficult to read. Maybe if I was a history buff, it wouldn't have become so monotonous to read about all those laws, rules and regulations...blah, blah, blah... What made it easier for me, was First5. For example, when I read Krista Williams' teaching 'A Do-Over' on Deuteronomy 1, I realised that Moses tried to warn the new generation against following in the old one's missteps. As a result, God provided them with a second chance. I was also struck by what I believe the Israelites' biggest mistake was - instead of following His instructions, they started complaining and talking amongst themselves. ['You grumbled in your tents and said, "The Lord hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt in fear...' - Deuteronomy 1:27...