Deuteronomy 8:18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.

In the old Civil War movie, “Shenandoah,” Jimmy Stewart plays a widower and Southern family patriarch named Anderson. He and his family work a farm in the Shenandoah Valley.  Anderson attempts to ignore and isolate his family from the war, but is unable to do so.  An interesting side note: his late wife had made him promise that he would raise his family by her Christian values.  So he makes sure they go to church, and he always prays before they eat.

Anderson’s standard prayer before meals goes something like this: “Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvest it. We cook the harvest. It wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be eating it if we hadn’t done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel, but we thank you Lord just the same for the food we’re about to eat, Amen.”

Maybe we don’t verbalize it in such a way, but I think many of us rely on our own abilities, strengths and resources and then forget from where those resources come. There is something to remember. No matter how talented we are, no matter how deep our pockets, at some point we reach the end of ourselves. However, there are no such limits with God.

Deuteronomy 4:5-6 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it.  Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”

When America is at it’s best it is for the very reasons mentioned in these verses.  The foundations of America are laid in the great documents of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, a promise of hope and a beacon of light in a dark world.  Unfortunately, there has sometimes been a gap in the rhetoric and the reality of American society.  Sometimes this gap has been glaringly so.

In general, that same thing some say of our religious views, both of our faith and that of us as individuals.  Sometimes our nation, our faith and our character are judged by our failings rather than the promises we hold high. We are often judged more severely because of the claims of our lofty aspirations.

However, we are more than any failed attempt. We are something beyond what can be measured by our physical successes. That something is identified in the next verse (Deut 4:7): What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to Him?

When we are near God, we become the very best that we can be. It is under the wings of God that we may soar.

Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Some time ago, I read The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.  I remember that he recommended people should read the Book of Matthew and highlight every positive thing or promise from God in order to stay encouraged while facing life’s trials and tribulations.

In this travel through the Bible, I am only in the fourth book, but I cannot help but notice that  the Bible is filled with the promises of God. (We will be a blessing and will be blessed; God will watch over us and deliver us; God will go before us; we are not alone in our journey through life). These partially make up a covenant with God.

Of course, God expects some things from us, to have faith, to love Him and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Armed with the Word of God, we are sent out on our life’s mission.  God does have a mission for each of us. It may not be to deliver millions of people like Moses; it might more be like the Blues Brothers’ mission from God in the 80’s movie (ok, not a good example).

My point is this: God doesn’t promise us a lack of adversity, but He does promise us that He will be there every step of our journey through life to help us not only get through, but to carry out our life’s purpose.  He doesn’t lie, and He doesn’t change His mind.

Numbers 12:3 Now the man Moses was very humble – more than any person on earth.

What does it take if you want to be used by God?  Well, Moses’ name is pretty much synonymous with being a servant of God. And he was the most humble man on earth.

Think of a wild horse (remember old cowboy flicks).  The horse might be strong, courageous and fast.  Yet if the rider cannot guide it, it did not serve that rider well.

That could explain many of us.  At first, we might have been unyielding and wild. For many of us to be guided by the hand of God,  was like putting a saddle on a wild horse. We butted and kicked and resisted. God had to break the bucking bronco in us.

Sometimes God brings people to a brokenness that might be physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. In this way we give over our will to His.  Sometimes this breaking process is hard and difficult.  However, I believe the more we are broken before God and the humbler we become, the more pliable and usable we are for Him.

So if you are going through difficult and trying times, it may very well be preparation for the greater work ahead.

Leviticus 19:34 The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus is filled with rules from the most significant thing to the least inconsequential item.  On my journey through the Bible thus far, I have picked out verses that caught my attention.  In this day and age, I can’t help but linger on this verse.

America has a long history of immigration.  The immigrants have been legal and illegal. Some sneaked into the country. Some forced their way in. Some were forced to come.  The immigrants have not always been welcome and problems have arisen pretty much throughout our history.  Some have adapted to the environment they found. Some have changed the face of the society that they encountered.

I am not making any political platform whatsoever.  I truly understand that there are legitimate issues concerning illegal and legal aliens alike. The issues that arise and the problems that are faced on all sides of this (and probably any issue, for that matter) cannot be diminished.

However, when I am dealing with someone, I must ask this one important question: am I doing it in love?