Mon.’s Devo - God’s Way is the Best Way

Read: Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29; Luke 6:12-38; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 11:27 God controls the nations and gives them land then takes it and gives it to others. We see this plainly in today’s reading. The people of Esau, Moab, and Ammon were Abraham’s descendants and relatives. God had given them their land and the children of Israel were not to have any of it. In fact, the people of Moab had to take out the giants in their land also, in order to take the land God had given them. *** It had been 38 years since they had sent out the 12 spies and now they were crossing over the Zered Brook. “Zered” means “the stranger subdued.” They had subdued all their enemies so far. All the men of army age had died in the wilderness just like God said they would because of their stubborn hearts. *** When they came to the Ammorites and Sihon, the king of Heshbon, God told them to attack and take their land and occupy it. First, Moses gave King Sihon an offer of peace. When he refused to let them pass peacefully through their land, Moses attacked. They conquered the Amorites and then went on to the land of Bashan. King Og, also an Amorite, attacked Israel at Edrei, but the Lord gave them the victory and they took their land also. King Og was the last giant of the Raphaites. His bed of iron was more than 13 feet long by 6 feet wide - just to give us an idea of his size. No wonder, the spies said they looked like grasshoppers compared to them. *** This land that was conquered was given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh. They had to promise that their warriors would help the other tribes get their land before they settled in their houses. *** Moses saw how God was fighting for them and begged God to let him see the land of promise but God would not let him. Instead, he took Moses up on the Pisgah Peak so he could see the land from there. He was to strengthen Joshua to victory. *** Moses stood for the law and the law cannot enter the land of grace. *** In Luke, Jesus was given the names of his apostles as he went apart to pray. Jesus had many followers who had been healed or delivered by him. Jesus blessed the poor, hungry and crying. He promised them the Kingdom where they would be satisfied and filled with laughter. He told them they would receive a blessing when man cursed them because of him. He cursed the rich, fat and ones who laughed now. They only had sorrow to look forward to. *** To those who were willing to hear his teaching he told them to love their enemies and pray for those who hated them and not to retaliate. It is easy to love those who love us, but not so easy to love those who despise us. Jesus taught us to be compassionate like God is. We are not to judge others or we will be judged. We are to forgive, so we will be forgiven also. We are to give and it will come back to us in abundance. The Kingdom of God is reciprocal. *** Lord, may we live in your kingdom with your mindset and your heart. Thank you that we can see your kingdom rising and coming to life all around us.