Deuteronomy 1 & 2: Forty Instead Of Eleven
Verse of the Day: (1:2) There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadesh-barnea.

1. Eleven (1:1-21)
And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them; (1:3)

Instead of eleven days, Israel took forty years wandering around in the wilderness, before they began to possess their Promised Land! Why? Unbelief. Israel failed to believe that what God had promised, He shall fulfil, instead, they used their own understanding, and wandered aimlessly for forty years. Though God chose Moses to be their leader, and Aaron, his assistant, yet they also failed to believe that they could take eleven days to reach their Promised Land. After forty years, Moses now led the younger generation after God destroyed the older ones who were twenty years and above, except for Joshua and Caleb, because of unbelief. Moses encouraged the younger ones to believe in God that He shall fight for them, and grant them victory over their enemies. Let us believe that God shall fulfil all His promises to us in His time and according to His will. (Hebrews 3:15-19)
  
2. Eyes (1:22-46)
The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; (1:30)

Though Israel wandered for forty years in the wilderness, yet God was with them all the time, as the pillar of cloud in the day, and the pillar of fire at night, to lead them, until they reached the Promised Land. No matter how disobedient and rebellious Israel was, God was longsuffering and merciful, and He kept convicting their hearts to repent of their sins of unbelief and fear. Indeed, God has not given us the spirit of fear, but power, love and strong mind, and let us keep our eyes on Jesus amid our life storms. (2 Timothy 1:7)

3. Esau (2:1-37)
And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: (2:4)

Jacob, which means “the deceiver” deceived Esau his older twin brother, the firstborn of Isaac their father, of his birthright and blessings. Subsequently God chastised Jacob and he repented his sins and God named him, Israel, meaning “the prince with God’s power”. Though Jacob deceived Esau, yet both their descendants forgave each other and the descendants of Esau allowed the descendants of Israel to advance to their Promised Land. Indeed, let us forgive one another, even as God also forgives us. (Ephesians 4:31-32)

Prayer of the Day: 
Dearest God, please help me to fully believe and trust in You in everything.