SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 32
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. [Deuteronomy 32:10-11] Moses describes God’s care for Israel like a mother eagle hovering protectively over her young, coaching them gently to flight and maturity. Even though God is holy and awesome, He is loving and good, and worthy of their love and devotion. This song of Moses expresses the pain of a forsaken father: Is this the way you repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you? [Deuteronomy 32:6]; You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth. [Deuteronomy 32:18]

Jesus uses similar imagery when describing His care for the people of Israel: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! [Luke 13:34] Once again, the pain of a parent comes through. And the frustration that is expressed through those words, but you were not willing!!!

I find this convicting. When I consider how much the Lord has done for me, how patient He is with me, and how much I take Him for granted (this is true of children with their parents, I know it is for me), and then I think about how He wants me to love Him back, to allow Him to be a part of my daily life. But I am not willing. That may sound harsh, I am somewhat willing. But I am also willing to eat healthy, lose weight, and slow down… but not willing enough to change my habits or practices. My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak. And even my spirit is only somewhat willing.

Israel began well, but did not finish well. The breakdown begins slowly, subtly. It starts with being casual, careless, unconcerned. Neglecting time with the Lord in the bible and prayer. As my guard goes down, I give the devil an opportunity. And then, when I am distracted, I slip, I drift, I fall. Israel did not intend to fall, they just did not take their situation seriously enough. The same for me. God wants more than a causal acquaintance. Am I willing?

PRAYER:
Lord, I realize that I am not willing enough, not serious enough. Help me hear Your father’s heart, Your mother’s love… and help me to be willing!