Day 9

Deuteronomy 29-31

WHERE GOD GUIDES, GOD PROVIDES

I have led you forty years in the wilderness.  Your clothes have not worn out – Deut. 29:5

            God led Israel into the wilderness and through the wilderness.  It took 40 years to complete the process, but in the end Israel lacked nothing.  When they finished their journey they had not one thread less than when they started. With their multiplied thousands of steps they were unable to wear out their sandals.  The only thing missing was the latest fashion. When God guides us anywhere it is His responsibility to provide for us.  He supplies all our needs according to his riches in glory.

One of the reasons for wilderness journeys is to teach us how little we need to be satisfied.  In spite of modern prosperity theology God’s first concern is never possessions.  God’s great purpose for the wilderness experience was and is to show how precious little material things we really need.  When we have mastered our cravings in the wilderness we are ready for life on the other side. Canaan was a land filled with milk and honey, not champagne and caviar. 

            Needs and wants are not always distinguishable.  But, high rolling is another subject.  The difficulty today is determining which “faith” model fits the Biblical pattern.  Here’s the question: Is wealth a covenant right for believers?  If I believe much of the preaching I hear, we are all entitled to whatever we want as long as we claim it by faith.  It is true that Abraham, Job, and the kings of Israel were rich.  Wealth went along with their callings.  But Amos was a humble sheep herder; John the Baptist was a hermit with no savoir faire; and Jesus gave up everything for no place to sleep.  He had to borrow money from a fish to pay the temple tax. 

            The second question is:  Is God leading us or are we leading us.  The prophets who prophesied from their own hearts, always found ways to self-fulfill their prophecies.  It is not really difficult to hear God when we turn off the voices of the lesser prophets.  When prosperity prophets are still ringing in our ears we are confused.  The biggest challenge for a Christian is not to know God’s will but to do it.  “Where God leads He provides.”   Our problems come when we take other paths, because God’s path isn’t prosperous enough.

            Some of you are struggling with money matters right now.  There’s a third question:  Did God lead you to this place, or were you leading you?  Remember, if God leads you to it, He will lead you through it.  If He didn’t get you where you are, He’ll offer another path if you want it.  First, you may have to turn off some voices in your head, and one of those may be your own.

My Jesus knows just what I need.