Journal the Journey

In every season of life, through the mountains and valleys, God has always been faithful… and He always will be.

Necessities.

While reading through Deuteronomy, I am seeing two major arteries, two sources of life without which death is imminent. These arteries are running so exposed throughout this Old Testament book that holds so many hidden treasures.

The people, God’s chosen ones, are being instructed by Moses on how to worship, what laws to follow, and other details surrounding the good way of life God desires for them as they are finally about to inhabit the Promised Land after decades of wandering. Over and over (and over and over…)  again, two things keep coming up, and the reader cannot help but notice.

Moses was obviously trying to emphasize these two very important things because, well, the people had a catastrophic track record of not listening to and obeying God up to this point. It’s almost as if Moses is pleading with them while warning them as well, and he’s trying to make it as simple as possible for them so that they don’t forget the key to the good life God has promised them.

Moses is saying to his people, do these two things: (1) Obey, and (2) Remember. And do these two things because God is worthy of them and He has your best interest at heart. Do them out of love for Him and for those around you, not out of a slave-mentality or reluctance or begrudgingly. Don’t do it just because you’ve seen God’s power to destroy those who disobey… don’t do it out of fear.

Fear should rightfully be a background component, brought to the forefront if you lose sight of how mighty and worthy God is. Remembering all He has done to provide for them as well as to defeat their enemies should help them obey. It is made clear throughout this book that God desired they fear NOBODY and NOTHING, because He continually assures them that the battle belongs to Him and He will grant them victory regardless of how powerful their enemies appear to be. If they were to fear anyone, it is only right, wise, and truthful to direct that fear towards Him based on remembrance of all they had witnessed. When they have a healthy fear of Him, they are more devoted to wholeheartedly obeying Him. They take it a bit – ok, a lot – more seriously.

My life has got to be one of obedience and remembrance. In remembering, I find fuel for my faith and power to obey especially when my sinful nature is rising up strong to try to take me out. I can more readily trust His leading when I look back and see that He has yet to fail me or lead me astray, and He’s not going to now. And He never will.

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dezmellish

I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been calling Birmingham, Alabama home since 2013. I’m happily married to the sweetest, most selfless man I’ve ever known. Prior to meeting and marrying him in 2021, I was a divorced mom to three daughters for 4 1/2 years. When I remarried, I gained a fourth daughter. On January 26, 2024, we lost my Dad. He had just turned 92 on January 6. He moved in with us the week after Joseph and I got married in October of 2021, and we had the honor of being his caregivers for the last 2 years and 3 months of his life. I currently work full-time as a Fitness Director at the most wonderful country club, where I also have a full load of personal training clients. This is a job I have enjoyed since 2019. Prior to entering the fitness industry, I was an elementary/middle school tutor. I have been a follower of Jesus Christ since I was a child. God showed me that He was real and that He loved me in powerful, unmistakeable ways during some very dark and difficult childhood years. As an adult, my theology has changed quite a bit. As life circumstances crushed me, I began holding all of the things I had been taught as a child, teenager, and young adult up to the light of scripture. As a result, I deconstructed my faith before deconstruction was really a thing, but never abandoned my faith in the process. After living through harmful teachings that were founded on misuse of scripture, I am passionate about the integrity of God’s Word. Nothing boils my blood quite like seeing scriptures used for selfish gain, abused, and taught out of their intended context. I have been journaling for 25 years. This is my space of the internet to share the ways God has been faithful to me as evidenced in my journals, as well as anything else that is placed on my heart to share. I hope you find something here that positively impacts you in some way. All are welcome here.

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