Overcoming Adversity (Misfortune) 03.04.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday March 4, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Deuteronomy. Please read Deuteronomy 8 -- 10 in your Bible or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read about the importantance of keeping the commandment;, the reasons why we have the commandments; a reminder of parents' rebellion, a golden calf; and the second tablets of stone. Today's message focuses on the importantance of learning God's Word and overcoming adversity.

God's purpose is given for all His rules and laws, "All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. " Deuteronomy 8:1-3).

The forty long years of wandering in the wilderness were necessary for the Lord to persuade Israel to acknowledge the pointlessness of their own abilities and to put their trust in the sustaining power of His Word. The many unexpected disappointments were the plan of God to destroy confidence in themselves and bring into reality a dependence on His Word for daily provisions, protection, and guidance. Adversity for the Israelites was aimed at overcoming the spirit of self-dependence that develops through pride.

The manna was given daily and its only guarantee of continuance was God's promise. All the unforeseen circumstances were needed to develop their faith in His Word. Our problems should bring us to the same persuasion that we are dependent each day upon God. He does supply all our needs and He loves to make available what is best for our journey through life. Pain and disappointments become more endurable when we recognize that the love of God has allowed it for our best eternal purpose. There is a tendency to forget God as we gain material possessions and by our adversities we learn that we still need Him and did to succeed without Him.

Adversity is a necessity, although some adversity may come as the result of sin, Job illustrates the fact that the best man living may be forced to face painful afflictions even though his own actions were not the cause (Job 1:8-12). God arranges the terms and time of our "need" for our eternal good. Throughout every book of the Bible there is Divine Life and power to satisfy every "need." Read it daily with confident expectation that you, too, will enjoy the strength of His Life that is indispensable to satisfy your real needs in the years to come.

To overcome His adversity Jesus began quoting from the book of Deuteronomy when tempted by Satan after His 40 day fast in the wilderness. His response to Satan, who tempted Him to make bread for Himself from stones after His 40-day fast was quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3, "And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:3-4). Satan himself quoted Scripture, but he misapplied its meaning, like so many people do today.

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16 after the second temptation, "And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (Matthew 4:6-7). At the third temptation, He quoted Deuteronomy 6:13, "Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him." (4:8-11)

Jesus did not compromise even once, a lesson some Christians need to learn today. A vital key to overcoming Satan is knowing God's Word through which we are empowered to be overcomers. For the Word of God is quick and powerful (Hebrews 4:12) and it is the overcoming weapon needed to defeat Satan. As we continue reading all of God's Word, the Holy Spirit brings it to our minds when it is needed.

Moses warned Israel, "Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day:.....And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." (8:11,17-18). After reviewing the Commandments, Moses added, "And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day." (10:12-15).

Jesus not only quoted these verses as applying to His followers, but also said, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." (John 14:21-23).

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through the wood used to make the Ark of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 10:3). Acacia wood, a desert growth, is symbolic of Christ in His human form as a root out of a dry ground (Isaiah 53:2). Jesus took on human form to redeem us. "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5).

Today's Psalm: 94:12-14
"Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank you for my life on this earth, however challenging or not. Thank you for giving me the free will to love and be loved, to make my own decisions, to learn from my mistakes, to laugh when I am happy, to cry when I am sad. Thank you for my family, my friends, my pets, my colleagues, and for every other living creature I meet along my journey. Thank you for giving me strength to overcome adversity, to do what's right for the benefit of the greater good, to rise above negativity. Thank you for giving me hope for an end to world suffering, pain, and war, for a beginning of a world filled with light and everlasting love. In Jesus' name....I pray.

Have a wonderful day/night
God Bless,
Christina

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