Even So...

"ALL the commandments which I command you this day you shall be watchful to do, that you may live and multiply and go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers. And you shall earnestly remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and to prove you, to know what was in your mind & heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your feet swell these forty years."
(Deuteronomy 8:1,2,4)

"Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your feet swell these forty years."

This statement refers to a miracle of miracles that God provided for His children as they wandered through the wilderness for forty years.

Nehemiah 9:21 says it this way, "Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell."

The Hebrew word for sustain is chul (kool) and means "to maintain, nourish, provide food, bear, hold up, protect, support, defend, supply the means necessary for living." Indeed, El Shaddai - Almighty God - SUSTAINED His children all those years. No question about it.

But, I would like to consider this verse from a spiritual perspective. Now, mind you, these are just my thoughts, okay? I would never want to mislead anyone nor would I want to add anything to the Word of God! But it is important that we realize our spiritual journey parallels the physical journey of the Israelites - all the way from Egypt (our life before Jesus set us free) to Canaan (when we pass over to glory).

Here we go...

When I saw the word garments I immediately thought of the garment of salvation and the robe of righteousness, both of which God provided to covered our sins, our nakedness, our vulnerabilities. Isaiah 61:10 reads, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God. For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness." Isaiah 61:3 reads, "To give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..." (Isaiah 61 is a Messianic chapter foretelling the ministry of Jesus.)

Salvation.
Righteousness.
Praise.

As we journey on our pilgrimage, the Lord is leading us, providing for us, protecting and loving us. Though the road gets tough sometimes, though we find ourselves muddied with blood, sweat and tears - EVEN SO - our salvation is for always, our righteousness is as bright as the morning star and praise carries us to the throne of Almighty God.

Salvation.
Righteousness.
Praise.

Incorruptible. Forever and ever.

What a mighty God we serve!

Father, You think of everything! You are teaching us so much and we are so very appreciative of the insight You give us. Thank You for opening the eyes of our understanding. We want our faith to explode with delight and knowledge! We want our spiritual roots to grow deep in understanding so that more and more we understand who we are to You. This is exciting stuff, Lord. Thank You so much!