Day 58, or February the 27th. Don't worry, be
happy now. Our thoughts today are rooted in Deuteronomy
chapter 30, verse 11. Now what I am commanding
you today is not too difficult for you, or beyond
your reach. First, the big picture surrounding
this verse. Deuteronomy is made up of the last
three sermons of Moses, and today we are looking
at the beginning of the third one. He reminds
the people of their covenant with God, which
takes care of the future in a world which will
see them entering and conquering an alien land.
This will prove to be some of the last words
of Moses, just before he passes leadership on
to Joshua, whom God has already chosen. And now
today's action step. No, it's too hard for me.
I can't manage it. I seem to hear that more than
I ever used to. In a world where people seem
to give up so easily, the Bible has some encouraging
words for us. There are times in life when I
have doubted, usually at times of illness or
when family or work is particularly stressful.
It's significant that Moses tells the people
that God is not demanding more than they can
manage. The Apostle Paul says a similar thing
in 1 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 13. The temptations
in your life are no different from what others
experience, and God is faithful. He will not
allow the temptation to be more than you can
stand. When you are tempted, he will show you
a way out so that you can endure. It seems to
me that Moses and Paul were responding to an
issue that they were sure would arise, and God
had already anticipated it with his written guarantee.
Most people have times when they think they are
not going to be able to cope. If you are having
doubts, be assured God will not be taken by surprise
when you question him. Actually, he's expecting
it. So when you feel like giving up, or you're
just overwhelmed by what's happening in your
life, remember God has helped loads of people
like you before, and is ready to see you through
it too. All you have to do is ask.