when all is stripped away

Deuteronomy 32:¹² So the Lord alone led him,
And there was no foreign god with him.

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As Moses is about to turn his authority over to Joshua he leaves the people of Israel with a great poem or song. He recounts the story of God's faithfulness to reclaim His people and lead them from slavery in Egypt. The phrase above stands out to underscore a thought I have today. More than a thought...it is a question to consider. When you strip it all away...all the cares about the day, the problems that you are in the midst of, all the relationships with other people...even family members and friends...when you reduce the measure of your life to just you and God...just the two of you...How are you doing? Because, in a sense, that is what life comes down to. It is essentially measured by the quality of your personal relationship with God. Problems refine and train us, family members raise us and we cherish them, friends comfort and encourage, strangers become opportunities for service and outreach...but it is all ultimately about God...and you! It may be a good way to consider the start of your day and the end of your day to refocus where you are, when all is stripped away, with God. Are you close? Are you listening to Him and are you talking personally to Him? Are you anticipating Him to do something in your day?

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Wouldn't it be great to be able say with Moses that "the Lord alone led him, And there was no foreign god with him". Moses was using the singular pronoun 'him' to characterize the people of Israel in his song but we also have a singular relationship with the God who would "alone lead us".

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It is really personal with God! When all else is stripped away, where are you with God?

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blessings,

Rob Smith