The Perfect Work of God

Deuteronomy 17: 16-20 

“16 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” 17 He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. 18 When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel.”

Israel’s king was to be humble.  Even though he was the king, he was not to consider himself better than the average citizens of Israel.  He was not to become rich as king, nor have many wives, as his position would allow in those days.  He was to keep his heart and mind fixed on God and on the good of Israel.

We know that Israel’s kings did not live up to this standard.  They failed God and Israel.  Yet, from the line of David and from the nation of Israel, came the Messiah, the savior of the world.

The perfect God works His perfect will through imperfect means.  This is why we can find God even in the messiest situations; this is why we should never give up or lose hope or think God has deserted us.  

God is with us, even in the chaos of our imperfect lives.

May the love of Christ be with you

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)