Thought for the Week

You have heard it. A blaring sound comes across your media. The words are: “This is a test. This is only a test…” Then you will be told it is not an emergency but if it had been an actual emergency, you would be told what to do. This test is given to prepare us. God also gave a test. You will find out all about it by reading Deuteronomy chapter 8. It is a two-part test and it is administered over many years. Moses is addressing the people of Israel. He is nearing the end of his life. He has led Israel for forty years. Because of his sin, he is not to lead them into the “Promised Land.” God will allow him to see it, but not to enter. Now he intends to explain the test. The first part of the test took place over forty years in the wilderness. It was a dry and barren place. There was not enough natural water supply. There was no possibility of producing food. There were many dangers here. Moses says, “God led you these forty years to humble you, to test you, to know your hearts, to see if you would keep his commandments.” (v.2) Moses reminds them God has not failed them throughout the forty years. He fed them, provided water for them, their possessions did not wear out, they did not even experience swollen feet. God was testing them with adversity to see if they would obey His Word. The second portion of the test was ahead. God was bringing them into a land of prosperity. The land would be fertile. It would abundantly supply them with fruit (vegetables) and grain. Their flocks and herds would multiply. Water would be plentiful. There would be mineral wealth. Moses now issues the warning: “When all your needs and even wants are supplied, do not forget God. God delivered you from slavery in Egypt. He brought you safely through the wilderness. He gave you this abundant land and enabled you to experience all sorts of blessings. You never did this in your own strength and ability. ‘When you experience a full and merry heart, do not forget God…’” (v. 14) Moses surrounds these two verses 2 and 14, with historic reminders and warnings. If they become proud and boastful, claiming they have done all this on their own and begin to forget God and worship anything else other than God, all they have, all they are, all their blessings, can be swept away. They are to get and stay as close to God as possible and be obedient to Him. They are to treat one another just as God intends them to. The test is a matter of life and death to them individually and as a nation. This two-fold test was for Israel. But it seems to me we could learn from Moses’ words. Can you see ways God has brought you (and us as a nation) though all sorts of adversity? Can you see ways God has brought you (and us as a nation) into prosperity? So, does it not seem right that God wants us to get and stay as close to Him as possible? Frankly, pushing Him away is the “dumbest thing” we can do. Does it not seem to you that we are to treat one another just as God intends us to? He has given a whole Bible, His Word, containing clear instructions on how we are to treat other human beings. Frankly, mistreating others will result in our own mistreatment and cause a return of pain and suffering upon us. A review of the Bible or a review of the history of humanity will show this clearly.