Moses says TODAY is the day the Israelites will cross the Jordan. (I just can’t wait, can you?) He then reveals a little more about why God chose the Israelites as his people. Yes! A question I’ve pondered many times. Moses has given us a few hints already in past chapters: they are remnants of those God created and chose in the past. Awww, that’s sweet, and I thought Moses was going to start getting all sentimental, but instead he goes on a complete rant about how ungrateful and horrible the Israelites have been … and still are! He says, “I saved you all! I prayed for you!”
Moses could negotiate with God. He knew how to tug on God’s heartstrings. I think we can, too! Anytime we go to God with anything, we are communicating to him that He is our number-one go-to guy, and I don’t think it matters what we discuss with him, as long as our hearts are in the right place. Sometimes I talk about the silliest things with God. Like, “Dear God, pleeeease don’t let me forget to buy coffee today!” That’s dumb, maybe, but you know what, when I do that, when I talk to God like he’s just walking along with me all day, I usually get a reminder sometime before I go home to buy coffee! The reminder might be in the form of a whiff of my coworker’s after-lunch espresso or simply a lightbulb that goes on in my forgetful brain, but when it happens, I try to remember to say, “Thank you, Jesus!”
It doesn’t sound like the Israelites felt comfortable speaking directly to God – at all. That’s understandable. Even when God told them they could (a few chapters back), they were like, “No way! God’s too scary!”
God wants us to fear him, yes, but not like this!
Writing prompt: let’s talk
How is your relationship with God? Instead of writing for a set amount of time today, use the next six to 12 hours (depending on what time you’re reading this) to notice how often you speak to God during your day-to-day routine. Jot down the topics of discussion. If you still have a hankering to write, expand on one of those topics and see what you learn from your conversations with God!
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