Originally posted: 07/15/2019
Review:
* the process of going over a subject again in study or recitation in order to fix it in the memory or summarize the facts.
* an inspection or examination by viewing, especially a formal inspection of any military or naval force.
Forty long years of wandering are finally winding down. This new generation is on the very cusp of entering the land. However, before they proceed further, Moses, the servant of God, calls the people and delivers His Review. Before they enter the Promised Land, this new generation must have the facts of their history and the findings of His inspection fixed in their memory.
Consider His Review
- The Facts of His Review
- The Facts of His Review revealed the repeated faithfulness of God, to go before His children, to carry them and fight for them, and to bring them to the land He placed before them.
- “The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place,” (1:30-31).
- The Facts of His Review revealed the repeated faithfulness of God, to go before His children, to carry them and fight for them, and to bring them to the land He placed before them.
- The Findings of His Review
- The Findings of His Review revealed that although God had consistently, faithfully, and miraculously led them, Israel’s repeatedly refused to trust Almighty God.
- “But for all this, you did not trust the Lord your God, 33 who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go,” (1:32-33).
- The Findings of His Review revealed that although God had consistently, faithfully, and miraculously led them, Israel’s repeatedly refused to trust Almighty God.
How do we respond to His Review?
His Review of our lives always reveals the Facts of His unfailing love and goodness, and all too often the Findings of our tendency to doubt and disobey. The truth is, we frequently find ourselves in the same position, hearing the same Findings as the children of Israel.
Oh, may we learn the lessons of His Review.
- Let us repeatedly call to mind the Facts and fix in our memory all He has done before our eyes; how He has carried us, fought for us, and never forsaken us; that we would be strengthened to see Him and take possession of the land by faith, rather than see the obstacles and refuse to walk into His promise.
- I shall remember the deeds of the Lord;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
12 I will meditate on all Your work
And muse on Your deeds, (Psalm 77:11-12). - “Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you,” (Isaiah 46:4). - The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread? (Psalm 27:1). - for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” 6 so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6).
- I shall remember the deeds of the Lord;
- And when His Review reveals the Findings of our faithlessness, let us remember He alone is Faithful. If our salvation was dependent on our faithfulness, who then could be saved? Let us place all our faith and trust in Him alone, for only He is forever Faithful.
- For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast, (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself, (2 Timothy 2:13).
Let us move forward into the land He has placed before us, to take hold of His promise that He will sanctify and preserve us until His coming. And let us ever fix in our minds that the Facts of His Faithfulness far outweigh the Findings revealing our weaknesses and inadequacies. Oh, let us courageously lean on Him; for He has promised and He will bring it to pass.
“See, the Lord your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you. Do not fear or be dismayed,” (1:21).
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass, (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).