Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.
One of the great Welsh hymns that's fed the souls of Christians down the years is 'Guide me, O thou great Redeemer'. It takes the image of God leading the believer through the wilderness, a 'pilgrim through this barren land'. 'I am weak, but thou art mighty/ Hold me with thy powerful hand,' it says.
Those lines sum up this chapter. Moses reminds the people of everything God has done for them. Their years of wandering in the desert were designed to show them their absolute reliance on him (verse 3): 'He did this to teach you that human beings must not depend on bread alone to sustain them, but on everything that the LORD says.' Jesus quotes his words in Matthew 4.4 when he is tempted by the Devil.
And Moses drives home the message by saying, 'Don't forget what God has done for you.' When they reach the Promised Land, life will be much easier. But their hardships were all meant to teach them dependence on God, and they mustn't imagine they don't need him just because their hardships are over: 'make sure that you do not become proud and forget the LORD your God who rescued you from Egypt, where you were slaves'.
God does lead us through barren lands, and we rely on him to save us when times are hard. But we're also to rely on him when times are easier, too: we don't need him less, even if we think we do.
God, thank you for leading me through the wilderness times and feeding me with the bread of heaven. Help me never to forget your mercies to me.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society’s Editor
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