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God Takes Care of Us
Andrea Lende • April 9, 2021
Deuteronomy 8:4
God Takes Care of Us
You can also listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/God-Takes-Care-of-Us-euh2it
Deuteronomy 8:4
“Your clothing did not become old upon you nor did your feet swell these forty years.”
Moses was addressing the Israelites and causing them to remember God’s care over them.
The Lord made their clothes last forty years.
Imagine wearing the same clothes for forty years without wearing them out.
It just simply would not happen in these days and times.
But the Israelites’ basic necessities were taken care of by the Lord.
They wore the same clothes every day for forty years without tears, holes, or wearing out.
Not only that, but Moses said the Lord kept their feet from swelling.
Our feet change as we age but the Lord made the Israelites’ feet timeless.
They walked everywhere they went, and yet, their feet did not wear out, swell, or become uncomfortable.
The Lord cared for their well-being and their clothing.
We also know He provided food and water for them.
Their responsibility was to follow Him.
When He said go, they went.
When He said camp, they camped.
He desired their obedience and their hearts.
They didn’t always give Him what He wanted, but He cared for them, nonetheless.
The Lord was about to bring them into the land that was promised them.
He was going to give them a beautifully rich land that would sustain them for years to come.
After all their disobedience, He still made a way to bless them richly.
God is a gracious God.
And just as He gave them grace, He gives us grace as well.
He cares for us as He cared for the Israelites.
He blesses our lack and makes it more than enough.
His careful watch over us is perfect and complete.
The miracles God performed in the Bible are still available to us today.
God is the God of miracles.
He always has been and always will be.
Today I am thankful the Lord cares for me and provides for me in the magnificent way only He can do.
May you find the Lord cares for you in all ways and makes a way where there seems to be no way.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for reminding me You care for Your people so completely. Thank You for reminding me You watch over and protect me. Thank You for Your generous provision for all my needs. Thank You for continuing to show me Who You are. You are a gracious God and will always be gracious. Keep me from worry when it looks like there will not be enough. You bless my lack and make it more than enough every time. Thank You for all Your blessings and the miracles I see You do. You are Almighty! You are greatly to be praised! I praise Your name, Lord! May all Your people praise You! Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I AM the Great I AM, and I will always take care of My people.
Response: Thank You for watching over and taking care of me and the family You have given me.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.