READ: Deuteronomy 7, 8; Psalm 80; Mark 12:28-44
SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 8: 2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.
3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.
5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.
OBSERVATION: Israelites carried a lot of possessions and wealth from Egypt (Exo.12:35-38). At the start of their exodus journey, they might thought that they would reach Canaan in a short period of time to possess the promised land. However, God had other plans for them. Since Israelites were slaves, they might had not received any training other than their slavery work. In their journey, God humbled Israelites to know their heart and taught them to live in loving obedience and to trust in Him always. Of course, it was a tough learning period for the Israelites. However, those times of God's teaching and training were full of God's miraculous provision and protection. Israelites were taught to honor "every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." God wants his people to know that he loves them like a father loves his child. Father's love trains his child to be equipped to face any future challenges. Hebrews 12: 7 says, "For what children are not disciplined by their father?"
APPLICATION: When God tests me, instead of looking at the hardships and difficulties, I need to understand why God allows it in my life, and to look at God's provisions to handle such times. No training comes easily without enduring any hardships. During such training times, God's word would give me more strength and courage than any food. When God disciplines me, I should remember that it is for my good, and that it is for I may share in his holiness (Heb.12:10). By trusting God's provisions and with a loving obedience to his words, when I pass through such testing times, my heavenly father rejoices with me, like a human father. I should remember this everyday.
PRAYER: God, thank you for showing your fatherly love by disciplining me. Help me to understand your loving heart and to obey your words always. My Heavenly Father, help me to live as a child that honors his/her father's will. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
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