Deuteronomy 32:12-14 "So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him (13) He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; (14) Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape."
The Lord provides for our every need. Do you believe that this morning?
Do you truly believe that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from
above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness,
neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17) These verses are given by
the Lord through Moses to remind the people that God has indeed provided daily
bread and living water for them to this point in their travels. Though
these verses speak of their past provisions, the thoughts also reach forward
into their future.
Moses is saying, "Everything you have enjoyed concerning daily blessings
have come from the Lord." He wanted them to know that he (Moses) was
not the source, nor the giver, of their blessings. "The LORD alone did
lead." Why was it important for the people just now to understand this?
Leadership was about to change. If they thought Moses was the source of
provision, the people would not be so quick to make the adjustment to Joshua.
Would Joshua be able to lead them as Moses did? Would Joshua be able to
make sure their daily provisions would remain intact? Would Joshua show the same
wisdom and perseverance as Moses? Moses was telling them well in
advance.. the LORD is the source of every blessing. That will not change as far
as the source of blessing and the source of victory. We looked at the
book of Joshua a while back and one of the very first things the Lord spoke to
Joshua and the people of Israel was to confirm this very thought. "As I
was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake
thee." (Joshua 1:5)
For hundreds of years in slavery, everything had been given to the people of
Israel, by other people. And may I say, that which was given to them to sustain
was very little. When you look at the things mentioned in our text verses, you
can see God was reminding the people that He had supplied and would continue to
supply their every need. They had eaten the fruit of the fields, honey
from the rock, butter of milk cows, milk of sheep and fat of lambs. All of
these things were the product of God's blessings upon the things we call
"nature". They had learned to rely upon the handouts of the Egyptians
for their sustenance. God was saying, "I did not bring you out of
that to let you starve; rather, I have provided your every need. You can trust
me."
Yes, you and I need to "learn to lean, place our complete confidence, and
trust" the power, grace, and provision of our Lord. How is it with
you? Do you really trust Him? Have you placed your complete
confidence in His grace and mercy? Do you realize He has the power to
either change any given situation or give grace to be able to endure?
Have you turned your struggles over to His hand? Let me use the words
spoken to Joshua and Israel, "As I was... so I will be. I will not fail
thee, nor forsake thee." (Joshua 1:5) That extends directly to you
and me this morning.