Deuteronomy is the last book of the Torah (the first five books of the Bible). These books build the foundation for our faith as Judeo-Christians. Deuteronomy means to “retell.” It is the last book of Moses, his account of what happened from Sinai to the Promised Land. Why did Moses write this book, a memoir of his life’s journey? Sometimes we learn from our good decisions, sometimes from our failures. Obedience brings God’s blessing. The “if” is not in Him.

In this life, there will be hard places that strike at inconvenient times. David knew something about this. He fought and won 18 major battles by the time he was an older man. In Psalm 18 David thanks God for delivering him from his enemies. Life will take you through hard places, but the Lord is the rock of your salvation!

What are God’s conditions for peace? The Bible gives us the secret to lasting peace, peace in the midst of the storm that the world didn’t give, and the world can’t take away. You don’t just stumble into peace; you make it happen with God’s help. Blessed is the peacemaker.

Numbers 15 describes a new season for the Israelites. The next 11 chapters cover 40 years in their Wilderness journey, slowly diminishing with every passing year due to their unwillingness to obey God. Those who refuse to obey Him will not see the Promised Land. When we sin, God always gives us the opportunity to reconcile with Him.

Our blessed hope is the Prince of Peace. He is our Comforter in times of sorrow, the Shepherd that shows up when we have lost our way. Hope thou in God. He will never fail you! Hope is not wishful thinking, it is God’s gift to the Believer, based on the Word of God.

Let’s look at Numbers and talk about the Israelites leaving Egypt and heading into the wilderness. Moses tells the spies to move ahead of the group and see what this new land has to offer. The report is…the land is uninhabitable; the people refuse to do God’s will. Moses goes up Mt. Sinai where God gives him the Ten Commandments. What happens with this group of Israelites in the first four books of the Bible? Why does the number of people in Moses’ caravan start to diminish?

Do you know the God of the Bible, or do you simply know about Him? Do you have a relationship with Him? Are you saved by the standards outlined in the Bible? Glory in the fact that you know the Lord, not in personal riches or accomplishments. In this, God delights.

God’s Word does not return void. It is alive and powerful. Scripture is God’s revelation for our lives, a life-changing seed that He plants inside of us. God told Moses exactly how to design the tabernacle because He wanted a place where He could dwell with the Children of Israel. Today, He still wants to spend time with his children. Do you make time to seek Him?

We were not created to live alone. Jesus attached us to a victorious army, the Church. To fulfill God’s mission here on earth, we must work with others in the Body of Christ, until the day of His return.

Jacob did not believe it when Joseph’s brothers told him that Joseph was alive. The truth can often be hard to believe, while lies are more easily accepted. Why does the Bible call Jacob “Israel” later in life? We must learn to listen to our inner spirit (our discernment, God’s direction), and not only trust what we can see in front of us. Putting your faith in truth (in God) revives your spirit.