TRUDGING INTO JOY
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 2
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
A rock formation in the wilderness located in the Jordan Vally near the Dead Sea in Israel. During the desert wilderness wandering of the Children of Israel, the landscape would have looked much like this.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Deuteronomy 2:7
For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.
“Trudging”…a word that describes most of the days of our lives. When God brought His people through the Red Sea, there was dancing. They started off toward the Promised Land with excitement, then came the trudge. Our key verse was spoken to people who repeatedly failed the Lord. God had provided for them to move within a short time into the Promised Land. They refused to go in. God provided food and water in the wilderness. They grumbled. While there were some awful consequences along the way, God continued to care for them and to guide them. His presence remained among them. God was ready to restore them and give them success whenever they were ready to believe His promises and move into His plan for their lives. Guidance from Scripture is important for us moving forward! Did you know that Deuteronomy is quoted at least eighty times in 17 of the New Testament books?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I seem to be trudging a lot. In these times, please help me to keep putting one foot in front of the other, moving forward and not backward. Thank You for those times when I walk with a determined stride, and even run and dance. I ask for grace from Your Spirit in the trudging times. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Norma-Jean and I are 77 & 80. So…while we may trudge sometimes, we also plan to dance a bit this evening, whether I feel like it physically or not! (try it when you’re alone if it embarrasses you). I am so blessed! I’m already dancing in my spirit this morning!!! In the story Jesus told of the son who returned home, He said there was, “music and dancing.” God’s Son has returned home to His Father, having completed His work for our salvation. Surely we have the greatest of all reasons to celebrate.
I suggest a New Testament reading which I have just read, Luke 15:11-32. Let’s pray for all our loved ones to come home to Father God. Christmas would be a great time for that to happen. Also, here’s a great rendition of “Joy to the World” (click here).
Yours for joy in the journey and for grace in those trudging times,
David
P.S. Below is a photo of my son Ron and his wife Ann (Ann checks my blog for punctuation, etc. and Ron makes sure it’s posted properly daily at 6 a.m.). They visited Petra in Jordan a few years ago, leading a Crossroads tour group. The city is carved into the solid rock! This was the area inhabited by “The descendants of Esau who live in Seir,” as mentioned in today’s reading (Deut. 2:4). You can click on the picture to enlarge it.
It may seem cruel ‘to us’ to wipe out “…women and children” but God knew if they survived that they would infect His chosen people with their idols and customs which did happen later on.
I often will open maps from my desktop to help visualize what I am reading.Here is one whic shows some of the names mentioned today,down just south east of the ‘Salt Sea’,bottom right of the map.May God bless
file:///C:/Users/Bill/Desktop/Promised%20Land,cities.jpg
Thank You Jesus, for helping us manage forty years in the desert, and to keep on trudging for the Glory of Your Name. Oh, that we might worship You and give You all the praise! Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord.
In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah. Psalm 44:8 ESV
Josh Groban – Noel (Full Deluxe Christmas Album)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–OfOU5iWxM
Amen Beverlee!
To God be the Glory for loving us so much.
Thank you Jesus, Amen!
Amen Joyce and Beverlee!
I received two Christmas cards with the words of “silent Night” in them. which I sang as soon as I received them
This day, this day was made by You, Father, and we thank You for it. We are prone to complain, yet You are merciful to us. Turn our trudging to dancing, our complaints to praise, our selves to You! You pierce the clouds with shafts of light; You fill the darkness with stars. May we, those called by Your name, humble ourselves before You, turn from our wicked ways, and call on You – You, Lord, whose mercies are new every morning. Please fill our hearts and mouths with praise for You, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen, amen and amen!!!
Amen Rob!
Rob, that prayer captured the words of my heart, so I copied them in my Journal ( credit to you).
Trudging has been difficult lately but this morning, God not only painted a beautiful sunrise, out West; but also, showed His Way of Hope in the darkness.
Thank you to all the Bloggers.
Each day there is magnificent Wisdom from His Word, and through the mouths of His Servants/Friends.
The Music, Poetry, Recipes, and any heart-felt needs (politics to illnesses) are greatly appreciated. It certainly is a time when The Body of Christ needs to be in unity and harmony.
May our God reign.
Amen
Sorry, I meant to say this prayer ageement to Laur!
Yes, Amen Rob, well said!
Amen!!
Amen
Yes, Amen and Amen Rob!
How Wonderful that our Mighty God is ready to welcome us back when we in sincerity reach out to Him. Amazing grace! Thank You Lord. Blessings all today. Keep close to Him. Thank You Lord. Amen
Celtic Woman, Amazing Grace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsCp5LG_zNE
Lovely! Thanks Bevrrlee
Thank you Beverlee, I so enjoyed this video, the Celtic presentations are all so well done.
Amen
Amen! To all comments and prayers above. You all have so much worth saying. Thank you, I feel good hearing them all.
We usually are in Florida at this time of year, I told God this morning, I need to get used to winter again.
I like the picture of Ron and Ann this morning. Was a good devotion.
God bless you all.
It was a good devotional and the comments were wonderful. Blessings to all.
Eleanor M
Yes good devotion and comments were wonderful from everyone.
Pray for me.
Blessings to all.
Thank you for the picture of Ron and Ann; as well as the Rock formation and the mood of the clouds