Devotion - Monday, March 6

In Deuteronomy 8 there is an interesting note which I remember but had not given much thought.  This is the section of Deuteronomy from which Jesus quotes in yesterday's Gospel Text.  "One shall not live by bread alone."  Moses reminds the children of God that they were given bread in the wilderness, and yet it was something more that provided their security.

As Moses is talking about the years the Israelites spent in the wilderness he reminds them "your clothing did not wear out."  That is pretty amazing - that one's clothing would last 40 years!  Remember that clothing was not a fashion statement and there were no wardrobes filled with colorful options.  Clothing would involve shearing sheep, spinning yard, weaving fabric, and making garments.  Such work is difficult to do as you are living a nomadic life.

It isn't surprising that Moses would need to remind them that their clothing didn't wear out.  I find myself wearing a comfortable pair of jeans without thought to how long I have had them.  We tend not to realize how long we have had a blouse or pair of socks.

"Your clothing did not wear out" is a beautiful statement of God's gentle care for His people.  He was doing for them a very important and helpful thing.  But it is a thing which they might not notice.

How many things will God do for you today?  How many will you notice?  It is a statement of good news that God's doing them is not dependent upon your noticing.  But noticing would be an appropriate step to take.