May 28

Deuteronomy 1 The colored glass filtered in through the stain glassed windows from the morning sunrise. While in college, I frequently came into the sanctuary to pray and seek God’s face. The beauty of the cool morning and colored light was conducive to seeking the glory of the LORD. Occasionally I would sense the presence of the Lord. It would make the hair on the back of my neck stand up, so to speak. I loved to linger there, but there is always a time to go, a time to begin ministering with and to others and a time to invade enemy territory and claim as the Lord’s. I love remembering that powerful presence of the LORD. Within this chapter there are three main points in Moses’ remembrance of their travel from Egypt to the plains of Moab. The first is the command of the LORD to leave Mt. Sinai. At the mountain they had daily received a miraculous provision of bread and water. They had seen the tremendous manifestations of the glory of the Lord as He consumed everything on the holy mountain. They had seen the fire and smoke. They had heard the mighty thunderings and trumpets. They had heard the majestic voice. They had received the weighty instructions. They had built the tabernacle where the glory of the LORD would abide while in transit. And now, the LORD says, “You have stayed at this mountain long enough.” While the physical accoutrements of Mt. Sinai would lend oneself to desiring to leave, can you imagine having the privilege of experiencing all those manifestations of God’s presence? “I alone am not able to bear you.” As Moses was recounting the administrative and leadership problems of leading 2 million people, we are reminded of a time when the strain of leadership was more than he could bear. Are there times in your lives when you feel stretched like a rubber band? Do the limits of your abilities feel like they are being squashed by the preponderance of demands weighing upon you? From the testimony of Moses, the LORD provided help for him so that he was able to bear it. His glory includes His provision such that when we are being squashed by our responsibilities or circumstances that He provides a way out. The final point is the rebellion of the people in their refusal to take the land promised to them. They maligned the glory of the LORD by that refusal! They were essentially saying that the LORD could not or would not keep His promises. Their rebellion resulted in a whole generation dying in the desert. When I have seen His glory, been given grace to bear the tasks He gives me and then refuse to obey, I am walking on very dangerous territory. His glorious light still floods our lives. There are times when He says, “You’ve stayed at this mountain long enough.” He sends us out to minister with and to other people. He gives us all that we need to bear it. Let us remember His glory when we are tempted to think that He is either unable or unwilling to empower us. His is all we need. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john