Scripture: Deuteronomy 1.  

OBSERVATION
(Key verses)

Deuteronomy 1:42-45 (NLT)

42 “But the LORD told me to tell you, ‘Do not attack, for I am not with you. If you go ahead on your own, you will be crushed by your enemies.’

43 “This is what I told you, but you would not listen. Instead, you again rebelled against the LORD’s command and arrogantly went into the hill country to fight.

44 But the Amorites who lived there came out against you like a swarm of bees. They chased and battered you all the way from Seir to Hormah.

45 Then you returned and wept before the LORD, but he refused to listen.

APPLICATION
(How Can I apply what God is saying here to my life today?)

From the title, many of you may have been curious enough to open this blog to confirm that this Brother has definitely lost his mind, right? However, what I have done is merely quote, or perhaps slightly re-worded verse 45 of Deuteronomy 1. I believe that we can tell from this passage that God had given His instructions, much like He does in providing instructions to us through His written Word today, but the people rebelled against and disobeyed God, much like we do today when we insist on doing things our way. However, in verse 45 the Israelites returned and wept before the Lord after realizing their wrongdoings, and today we come back to God and ask for forgiveness because we chose to do things our way. Friends, I am here to draw to your attention that, as in the case of the Israelites, there may come a time that God may refuse to listen because of our total disregard of His divine instructions, and because of our pridefulness and determination to do things our way. I can’t think of one thing that I might regret more than to know that as I plead before my loving Savior, that He shuts me off and refuses to listen. For He is the One who is always there for me when all else around me fails and when there appears like there is no one else who is listening to me or caring what I may have to say. I am reminded that I am the servant and He is the Master, and it behooves me to listen carefully and obey Him. I must not do anything that causes Him to shut His ear to my cry. How about you, friend? Will you also recommit to obedience today?

PRAYER
(What I will ask of God, in order for me to properly apply His Word to my life)

Dear Lord, thanks for loving me enough to guide me each day and show me Your ways and Your character, so that I may follow in obedience and be blessed by You. Please impact my conscience so severely each time that I am tempted to do otherwise, so that I will quickly turn from my wicked and selfish ways and turn to You for Your perfect will. You loved me enough to die for me Lord Jesus, oh that I may return that love through total obedience to You, and in my efforts to be more like You each day.

 

**Words underlined may be a hyperlink to a song that God laid on my heart while sharing this devotional this morning. Click it and be blessed by the song, like I was when I listened to it! …… I would be overjoyed to have the opportunity to pray with you about a need in your life that may, or may not have been highlighted by this Nugget today. Why not drop me a note and tell me about it? You may email me at:
nuggetsfromgodsword@yahoo.com
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