strength for the day

"and your strength will equal your days."
Deuteronomy 33:25 (TNIV)

This promise in Moses' blessing from God to the tribe of Asher, I take as applicable to us today, who are in Jesus as God's covenant people. Just as the Church has taken Old Testament passages such as Psalm 23 to be for those in Christ, so this promise, I believe, resonates for us as well (cf., 2 Corinthians 1:20). Certainly the New Testament backs this, through story and precept. We can count on God to give us the needed strength and resources to fulfill each day's tasks and calling.

This promise is applicable to us as we seek, not to do our own works (cf., Isaiah 58), but the will of God. As we seek the Lord, drawing near to him in prayer, being quiet before him, and reading his inscripturated Word, we can deliberately, in all that our hands find to do, do it with all our hearts (Ecclesiastes). Though, I believe, so much of what we are wont to do, will increasingly fall by the wayside. More and more we'll have discernment to do what needs to be done. And let other things go. We must see all we do in light of "the Jesus Creed", our call to love God with all our being and doing, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

This promise is important to us all. It is so for me. There is so much in life I would like to do, but can't. And so much I have to do that I'd rather not. But this promise applies to me, only as I determine that, no matter what, I choose to do the will of God for me, in Christ Jesus. This will mean stops to rest and pray, even as Jesus did. It will never push people away, even when seeking to escape. But will maintain a steady, purposeful attitude of being a servant to all. And relationships to God, then to each other, will remain first priority. And there will still be the enjoying of our Father's world (including a world cup game, if you like).

By the way, this is our goal. We will fall short, and have to repent. But God's grace is always there for us, to receive, forgive and restore us.

Lord, Even as you lived out your life on this earth, so let us follow. Let us know your strength in our weakness, according to your will and call for us each day. Through you we pray this. Amen.