April 5, Day 95 – He Owns It All
- Dr. Eric Stricker
- Apr 5
- 3 min read
Today we begin the book of Deuteronomy in our readings. Deuteronomy is the fifth book of Moses, and the word means “second law.” By now, all the Israelites who disobeyed God in the wilderness wanderings have died off – just as God promised that they would (cf., Numbers 14:21-23; Deuteronomy 1:35). Here in the book of Deuteronomy, God’s second giving of the law will establish it firmly in the hearts and minds of the younger generation – the ones who will go in and possess the land. Whereas the book of Numbers ends with the Israelites on the plains of Moab across from Jericho (cf., Numbers 35:1), the book of Deuteronomy begins with the command of the LORD: “You have stayed long enough at this mountain … break camp … Go in and take possession of the land” (verses 6-8). Deuteronomy emphasizes two lessons [1] the need for the Israelites to obey, to review, and to remember from whence they have come, and [2] to consider where they are going. Deuteronomy anticipates the possession of their inheritance of the land and looks ahead to their hope of future redemption. In today’s section – Deuteronomy 1:1-2:23 – we see that Moses reviews the people’s past years since coming up out of Egypt. Moses addresses the selection of leaders (verse 9-18), and he points out that the selected leaders were not to “be afraid of any man – for judgment belongs to God (verse 17). He also reminds the people about how spies were sent out into the land (verses 19-25), and then he repeats that “the LORD God is giving us [the land] – go up and take possession of it” (verses 20-21). Moses also revisits the Israelite rebellion (verse 26-46) – “the LORD your God, Who is going before you, will fight for you as He did in Egypt” (verse 30). Finally, in chapter 2, Moses reviews the wanderings in the desert “these forty years” (verse 7). Reviews, reminders, and repetitions serve for our instruction, so what can we learn from them? I gather from these brief chapters that we should not be stubborn, stiff-necked, rebellious, or willful like the Israelites were. That kind of behavior only leads to a bad end.
Psalm 41 is another Psalm of David. In verses 1-6, we see that the LORD is concerned about those who are weak and that He provides deliverance for them in their time of trouble. David says that “the LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness” (verse 3). This statement is not an ironclad guarantee that the Lord will heal every malady. However, it is a true statement; if someone is sick, his or her ultimate healing and restoration is a work of our sovereign God Who heals us as He desires. He may choose to work through medical personnel and medications, but in the end, God is always the Source of every healing. We see this in David’s cry – “O LORD, have mercy on me; heal me …” (verse 4). Healing is an act of God’s mercy.
In Luke 9:57-10:24, we see the cost of following Jesus. I’ve often wondered about the Lord’s lack of a “place to lay His head” (Luke 9:58). This statement reveals our Lord’s true humility, and yet, He is the sovereign Creator of the universe. He owns it all. He has provided most of us a physical address, but when He sojourned among us those 33 years, He chose to live without a home of His own. In this way, Jesus demonstrated His deep commitment to His divine mission by subordinating His own personal needs to that mission. Such incredible servanthood and genuine humility – living day to day without any concern for Himself! In Luke 10, He shows us His major concerns – workers for the harvest; peace; healing the sick; collective discernment of the truth and the power of the Holy Spirit; prayer and joyous praise expressed to the Father; and revealing all these things to the innocent and weak (i.e., especially to children). Truly, we are blessed to participate in His mission – to “see and hear what prophets and kings have longed to see and hear,” but never did (verse 24). What a joyous responsibility we have!
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