Lacking Nothing

By Clifton Angel “For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing” (Deut 2:7, NKJV).     God chose Moses to bring the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. By God’s power, Moses did just that. God promised the children of Israel that he would grant them possession of a wonderful land flowing with milk and honey. However, the children of Israel hindered themselves through disobedience, fear, lack of trust, and ungratefulness. Therefore, the first generation that came out of Egyptian bondage was not allowed into the promised land; rather, they all (except Joshua & Caleb) died within the 40-year wilderness wanderings per God’s righteous execution of judgement. It was their children that were brought near to the Jordan, taught by Moses, and lead into the land by Joshua (cf. Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua). On the occasion that our passage (Deut 2:7) was spoken, the second generation was being prepared by Moses for entrance led by Joshua. Moses was reminding and informing them of their fathers’ prior events, reminding of God’s law, and giving them new revelation of their responsibilities. In the midst of his words, Moses reminded them, “God has been with you; you have lacked nothing” (Deut 2:7).     Backing up to Deuteronomy 1:6 and following, it is evident that the children of Israel lacked nothing in the areas of God’s Word (1:6a), God’s promises (1:6b–8), God’s leadership (1:9–15), God’s training (1:16–18), God’s protection (1:19–33), God’s discipline (1:34–46), nor God’s provisions (2:1–7).     Today, if we are faithful members of the Lord’s body (His church, Colossians 1:18), we too can confidently say we lack nothing in all of these areas. Every area calls us to action and requires our efforts in order that we lack nothing; however, we are able to be supplied of our every need because of God! God’s faithful children lack nothing! Do you disagree? Are you confused? Would you like to understand how such could be so? If you feel that you are lacking something, maybe you are, and by God’s Word we can discover what it is and correct it, so that one day we can confidently say, “God has been with you; you have lacked nothing!”ß

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted through that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/