Grains of Sand

Pixabay     They say that there are many things we take for granted until we no longer have them. This morning a friend was being thankful for being able to go to the grocery store and get everything on her list without any difficulty. She grew up in Venezuela where shortages have been common and acute for many years. It reminded me of how long it took me to stop worrying about not being able to find toilet paper even after I returned to Canada from service in Caracas. We seldom think about toilet paper until there isn't any! This morning's "remember" passage comes from Deuteronomy 8:17, 18. Moses reminds Israel of this: "You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. " We pride ourselves on our ability to provide for ours...

Google Images Sometimes I feel like a broken record! As I read Joshua 4 this morning, I was reminded of something I have said quite a few times over the last few years—probably to the annoyance of several people. However, here I go again. Joshua and the tribes of Israel pass over the Jordan in Joshua 4. God does yet another enormous miracle by parting the waters of the river in front of the them, allowing everyone to pass over safely. But before the water returns to its natural place, Joshua asks one man from each tribe to pick up a stone from the river. “ And Joshua set up at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. He said to the Israelites, ‘In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, “What do these stones mean?” tell them, “Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.” For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over… ” (4:20-23). We often don’t think our spiritual journeys matter to anyone...

Google Images There are moments in time when I wish I had children. I don’t have many moments like that, mind you, but this morning I wished I had someone to tell a story to. The passage was Deuteronomy 4 and the theme of the first few verses will be picked up in Deuteronomy 6. The Hebrews are about to enter the land of Canaan, promised to them by God from the time of Abraham. Moses is reviewing their past history as preparation for their successful entry into the Promised Land. In chapter 4 he reminds them of the importance of obeying God’s commands. But there is an added feature to that reminder. He says: “ Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them ” (4:9). In Deuteronomy 6, Moses will give specific suggestions as to how the Hebrews are to teach their children the story of God’s faithfulness and His instr...