Title: Our God Who Is Very Good
our good God
Deuteronomy 1:28-33
2005. 6. 26, am
If you look at the text of the text, it is a scene where the Israelites listened to the sermon through Moses before they left Egypt and entered the land of Canaan. Through his sermons, Moses instructs the people of Israel how to behave, what to keep, and what to do with disobedience. In particular, it is the story of Moses admonishing and rebuking Israel when the 12 spies who returned from spying out the land of Canaan complained and complained about them. How could God have brought you up to this point, and how can you do this? Even now, God is saying that He is a good God who guides us. The good God we believe in,
First, He is God who goes before us (:30)
The wife of Rev. Billy Graham, a world-renowned revivalist, prayed to God before getting married, saying, “I don't want a handsome man. I don't want rich people. I don't want a good family man. I don't want a talented person. I just want a faithful man who is like Christ and follows God.” I prayed earnestly. God granted her what she asked for. God prepares in advance, and when we pray, He answers us. He is the God who goes ahead of us and prepares everything and is waiting for us.
The meaning of “the God who walks before you” in verse 30 means that He chooses the good path for us so that we can walk comfortably. In other words, God leads us on the good path ahead of us, and if the road ahead is blocked by obstacles, He goes ahead and destroys them, removing obstacles so that we can go easily. If there is a problem, we solve the problem. That the LORD your God did all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes, he went ahead for the people of Israel and divided the Red Sea into a highway to go forward. The relationship between God and us is often expressed as that of a shepherd and sheep. When a shepherd takes his sheep, there is no way to lead the sheep. The shepherd must stand in front of the sheep and the sheep follow them. In this way, God, who goes ahead as a shepherd, is a good person who goes ahead, foresaw things, goes ahead, and makes things easier.
God knows all about our future. In hymn 98, there is a line that says, “Lord Jesus, I loved me before I knew it.” It is a confession that before I knew the Lord Jesus, the Lord Jesus knew me first and loved me first. Matthew 6:32 speaks of a good God, saying, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” That God already knows what we need and what we will need in the future. Please believe that such a good God is a good God who not only knows our future, but also goes ahead and guides us.
Second, He is a God who fights for us (:30)
It was at the time when George Washington of the United States was fighting the Indians before he became president. Washington took the lead and led the fight. At this time, the Indian chief ordered his men to “focus on the front of Washington and shoot.” All of them focused their fire on Washington. But not a single one hit Washington. Finally, the Indian lost the battle and the chief was captured. Then the chief said to Washington, "Are you a God who didn't get shot even when we fire? Are you human?” that he asked. At that time, Washington said, "I was able to survive because there was a mother who prayed for me day and night, and God protected me through her prayer." This is how God fights for us. Therefore, those whom God protects cannot be touched. Because God is fighting for you.
Are you afraid of tomorrow at this time? As in verse 28, there are great enemies, and are there saints who are holding on to problems before us as if a great city is going up to the sky? Then, don't be afraid, don't be afraid, and look to God who is still fighting for you. There is a song among black spiritual songs that says, “Though I am weak, the Lord Jesus is strong, I will draw near to the Lord who leads me.” We are weak and incompetent, but God is strong and fights for us. That is why our fight is to win and fight. I hope you will confess and believe that the God who fights for you and gives you victory is my good God.
Third, He is the God who embraces us (Chapter:31, 1016)
There was a time when a devout believer faced difficult trials and became discouraged. On that day, too, with her shoulders drooping, looking dead, when she returned home, her little daughter in the drawing room was happy to see her. When I saw Dad carrying it, I got up from the wheelchair and said, “Daddy, what is that?” “I will give it to my mother. Where is your mother?” “You are on the second floor. Daddy give it to me. I'll bring it." "No, you can't walk properly, so how do you bring this to your mom?" The daughter had polio. Then the daughter says. “Daddy, can I take this and let Daddy carry me?” He realizes in that moment. "Yes. Why am I disappointed and frustrated when God is carrying us?” No matter how difficult the burden of pain, I hope you believe that the God who embraces us and makes us go is our very good God. If you have an innocent faith like children and are embraced by God, your fear will disappear and you will be at peace no matter how severe the world's tribulation, pain, or dangers come.
Sometimes we think we've come this far on our own. I say that I have worked hard and that I have come this far through hard work. But the reality is that God embraced us and crossed the hill and crossed the river. Not my wisdom or my ability, but God took me and led me moment by moment. Even when we feel sick and dying, when our business is ruined and our life seems to be over, when the person we love has passed away and we don't want to live anymore, God does not leave us. He is a good God who protects and helps. That is why David confessed in Psalm 23, “Even though I pass through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
Verse 31 says, “As you suffered in the wilderness, as a man embraces his own son, so the Lord your God carried you along the way you went to this place.” “I embrace you” means the culmination of God's love for His children. The land of Canaan was not a place that Israel could go to by its own power, but a place that God could enter because it was embraced by God. Just as a child in the arms of its parents only needs to trust and embrace them, Israel can only rely on and look to the God who is holding it. Therefore, God does not tell us to do anything, but tells us to rely entirely on Him. Please believe at this time that God is a good God who embraces our circumstances and everything we do, and treats us like the pupil of the eye, and takes care of us day and night without ceasing or drowsiness or sleep.
Fourth, He is the God who leads us through the pillar of fire and cloud.(:33)
God is the God who walks before us, finds a place to pitch our tents, protects us with fire by night and clouds by day, guides us, and directs our path.
So, leave everything to God and go ahead. Do your best in your duty and look to God. Thus, the God who goes ahead of us and controls everything and guides us, the God who fights for us so that we have no lack through victory, is the God who embraces me and makes me strong and courageous. He is the God who leads us before us and protects us by a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. The God who created the heavens and the earth is my very good God, and I bless you in the name of the Lord that you will always live with thanksgiving believing that He is our good God.