Thou Hast Lacked Nothing
"For the Lord Thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing."
Deuteronomy 2: 7
King James Version
EXPLORATION
"Thou Hast Lacked Nothing"
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"God often takes a course for accomplishing His purposes directly contrary to what our narrow views would prescribe. He brings a death upon our feelings, wishes, and prospects when He is about to give us the desire of our hearts."
John Newton
What is it that I lack in my life right now?"
Have I asked God to supply this need?
"An undivided heart, which worships God alone and trusts Him as it should, is raised above all anxiety for earthly wants."
J. C. Geikie
INSPIRATION
"An anxious heart, weighs us down."
Proverbs 12: 25
N.I.V.
I usually plan several weeks in advance for the devotionals, choosing the texts that I want to highlight as we study the lives of all the women in the Bible.
Yesterday, I shared with you the fact that the book of Deuteronomy, rather than being a historical rehash of the journey of the children of Israel, was truly a "speaking diary" of Moses' spiritual path – as well as his growth in trusting his heavenly Father.
Today, I had planned to begin our study with a list of the things God had done in the wanderings of His children as they moved from Egypt to Canaan.
Before we do that however, I want to stop at a text that jumped off the page at me. Everyday, as I work on the devotionals, I ask God for His guidance in helping me know just what He wants the devotional to be about. As I read Deuteronomy 1 and 2, I couldn't get past Deuteronomy 2:7, and it was as though I personally felt God put this text in the Bible just for me.
We all have things that make us worry. Bills to pay. Family members who are ill. There's always something that seems to cause anxiety. Even turning on the news can be distressing.
Like you, there are times I feel overwhelmed by the pressure that life heaps upon me. Then, like a flash from heaven, I read Deuteronomy, of all books. A book that has a funny name and is one of those Old Testament books which rarely gets our attention. What did I find? Words from God to Moses that fall like dew on my wilted heart and yours. For when the drought of life's challenges dries us out, leaving our hopes and dreams parched, God comes along with healing in His wings and says:
"I, the Lord thy God have blessed you, (put your name here),
in all the works of thy hand. I know thy walking through this great wilderness, and (put your name here), thy God has and is with you,
you lack nothing!" Deuteronomy 2: 7 The Dorothy Translation
I have to be honest, feeling as I was this morning, overwhelmed and anxious with all that life can hit us with – I wept as I read this text. For hidden in Deuteronomy, unnoticed by God's daughter, Dorothy, was a reminder that throughout my life, "I have lacked for nothing," or as the Hebrew states, "never failed or run-out."
When Moses began to repeat the history of his journey with God – his Father in heaven told him to start with the part that says: "I've been with you on the entire journey – even in the wilderness, in the desert, on the stony path, even when the water was bitter, even when the other nations attacked, at your lowest point, I was walking right beside you – and Moses, one other thing, all of you never lacked for a thing!"
There it is! The God who promises to supply ALL our needs. The God who feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies of the field. The God, whom the Apostle Paul reminds us, says: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God" (Philippians 4: 6, N.I.V.).
After spending over 40 years in a desert wilderness, Moses reminded God's people, "You lacked nothing."
How blessed we are to have this wonderful reminder in the Scripture to build our confidence in God today. For as Thomas á Kempis wrote: "Oh, how great peace and quietness would (she) possess who should cut off all vain anxiety and place all (her) confidence in God."
"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7
N.I.V.
AFFIRMATION
"Pray, and let God worry."
Martin Luther
"Be not dismayed whatever betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when your heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.
All you need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you;
God will take care of you,
Through everyday, o'er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you."
Civilla D. Martin
Your friend
Dorothy Valcárcel, Author
When A Woman Meets Jesus
Available May 2009
[email protected]
