Deuteronomy 3:23–25: “Then I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying: ‘O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon.'”

February 18th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

This chapter gives interesting insight into private prayers to God for very personal requests. Notice that Moses frankly tells us that he “pleaded with the Lord,” but God still said no. Moses was called a friend of God. He was even given a privileged look at God’s physical manifestation after God walked by him on Mount Sinai. But even that special, close relationship with God did not guarantee that Moses got whatever he asked for. And in this instance, Moses clearly asked God for something he didn’t get. So we should not be surprised or discouraged when sometimes God says no to our request.

Moses wasn’t allowed into the land because he had disobeyed God (Numbers 20:1–13). A careful reading shows us that Moses was actually praying against what God had already told Moses He was going to do. But this wasn’t quite the end of the story. In the New Testament we see an amazing example of God’s grace being extended 1400 years later, as God finally allowed Moses into the Promised Land when he stood with Jesus and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–13). We also see in this a brief glimpse of our ongoing relationship with our Creator.

God still cared about Moses’ desperate desire long, long after Moses had already gone to be with Him. We can’t help but think of some of the desires of our own hearts that God has not said yes to. Perhaps this example of Moses means that some of them might still be answered long after we have gone to be with the Lord. This is a mind-bending idea that may require more thoughtful consideration in the years to come. But one thing we can be certain of is that God cares for us.  God never says no just to disappoint or frustrate us. If He has said no, you can rest and feel safe in that no, and if He has said not yet or been silent, then you never know what’s ahead, just keep praying.

“LORD, we trust Your answers; have your way in our lives this day.”