To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the Lord set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. (Deuteronomy 10:14-15 NIV)

Have you ever read the Bible and become frustrated with its characters? I used to wonder how on earth the Israelites could ever doubt God’s power after walking through the Red Sea; how could they complain about His provision after gathering manna, or willfully sin after being saved from a life of slavery? His faithfulness was evident. How could they be so blind? 

In those moments of judging people in the Bible and even people in my life, God has revealed significant parts of my heart and misalignment to Him. Have you ever doubted My provision was enough? “Yes.” Have you ever tried to come up with a solution instead of waiting on My timing? “Yes.” Have you ever thought your choices were justified even though you knew it was sin? “Yes.” Then why are you judging? 

Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:16-19)

God’s correction is gentle, direct, and always bears fruit when we let Him trim off what’s dead in our hearts. I am thankful that He works with my fleshly, sinful ways to bring revelation and help reshape my heart. I am grateful that now I don’t judge the characters in the Bible. Instead, I see divine purposes in their walk with the Lord that encourage all of us today. The truth of their challenges and failures brings hope and perseverance to my daily walk. To know that they, too, were struggling with judgment and the Lord needed to prune their hearts so they could live in the Promised Land, makes them relatable. I am thankful the Lord included their stories. 

Let’s spend today reflecting on the timeless, constant, and steady hand of God. He knew that I would need to have some holy conviction when the Red Sea was parted, and He knew that my conviction would be an encouragement for you today as you read this devotional. He is fully aware of us, and there is nothing outside of His view. What a wonderful God we serve! 

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your mighty right hand of power. Thank You for guiding us as You did the Israelites. We want our hearts to be aligned with You, so we give You permission to circumcise anything that is out of alignment. Help us, Holy Spirit, not to judge but to love the way Jesus loves. We always want to be within Your will, Father. We pray these things in Your name, Jesus! Amen! 

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Scripture is quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.