The Good Ole Days

O. T. #377  "The Good Ole Days"
Oct. 2, 2014
Deuteronomy 4-Part 3
You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides Him there is no other.  Deuteronomy 4:35 NIV

LET IT GLOW

Do we ask about the good ole days, when God sent a revival that lasted a week? Are we asking Him to do it again? Does His Spirit fall upon our worship services today? If not, are we asking Him to do so? I recall a few revival services where the Lord fell upon the people. Sins were confessed, relationships were mended, hearts were changed. Do we yearn for the same today? Are we willing to sacrifice our time to commit to prayer for such? This can be the good ole days for another generation.
Ask God.

We found that God is a merciful God who will not forsake, destroy, nor forget His children. He revealed Himself in Egypt as He delivered Israel from slavery:

• temptations
• signs
• wonders
• war
• a mighty hand
• a stretched out arm
• great terrors.

God used these methods to instruct (to discipline) Israel and direct them with His own presence, for they heard the voice of God and were directed by fire. It was by God's presence and great strength that they were delivered. What an omnipotent God! He loved their fathers. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of?

Israel was shown these things so that they might know that the LORD is God; besides Him there is no other. (verse 35, NIV)

The LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. (verse 32)

Do we see God working to deliver His children today from their slavery to sin? Isn't His mighty hand working and His outstretched arm reaching for us to come to the cross for deliverance from our bondage? Do we share with others how God has delivered us?


LET IT GROW

In verse 32, Moses invites Israel to ask of God. This is a new concept of prayer. (Falwell)

What did God say for Israel to ask from Him?

• Ask about the former days, long before their time, from the day God created man on the earth. (verse 32)
• Ask from one end of the heavens to the other.

Wherever we are, we can seek the Lord. We will find the grace of God. (M. Henry)

Look at Luke 3:21-22. When Jesus prayed, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The Spirit came upon the disciples as they gathered to pray on the day of Pentecost (Acts 1:14; 2:1). when the disciples prayed together after Pentecost, their gathering place was shaken, and they were emboldened to proclaim the gospel throughout the city (Acts 4:31). God does things in and through our lives by prayer that He does in no other way. (Henry Blackaby)

In John 14:14, NIV, Jesus tells the disciples, You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Do we ask of God? What do we ask of God? Is it by faith, believing He can do it? Do we trust His judgment? It is through the name of Jesus that we pray to God. He is our mediator, our High Priest.


LET IT GO

Pray in Jesus' name.

Ask of Him to move in my life, my family, my church, my nation.

Thank God for His mercy.