Sermon Notes PDF There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God. (Deut. 1:31-32) The Importance of Trust At the edge of the promised land, Israel rebelled—complaining, rioting, and accusing God of mistreating them. Because they did not trust God, Israel refused to enter the land. Obedience is hard enough when we trust. Without trust, . Rebellion and Restarting (Deut. 1:26-2:23) Deut. 1:26-28. Rebellion. Israel’s trust fails. They act ungratefully, they complain, and they accuse God of hating them. See also Num. 13-14. Anakim: A clan of tall people originating from Hebron. (Num. 13:22; Josh. 15:13) The Israelites considered them giants. 1:29-33. Moses tries to encourage the people by reminding them of God’s past care. Didn’t God carry you as a Father carries his child? Remembering the goodness of God in the past helps us . 1:34-40. God punishes Israel for rebellion; only Joshua and Caleb will get to enter the land. All other adults will wander in the desert until they die. God is merciful, but He is also just. 1:41-2:1. Israel is sorry and tries to take the land on their own. They fail, and spend the next 38 years wandering in the desert until nearly every adult is dead. Seir is the land of the Edomites. 2:2-3. Restarting. Thirty-eight years have passed between verse 1 and verse 2 (see 2:14-16). Nearly every adult who left Egypt is now dead. A new generation starts its journey to the promised land. 2:4-8. Because God had given Edom the area south of the Dead Sea, Israel is not to fight against Edom. Rather Israel is to pay the Edomites to pass through their land. 2:9-18. Because God had given the southern trans-Jordan to Moab, Israel is not to fight against Moab. The Lord’s hand was against them: A dreadful state of living, but the result of doing it our way rather than God’s way. 2:19-23. God gave the middle part of the trans-Jordan to Ammon, so Israel was not to fight against the Ammonites. The modern city of still bears the name of the Ammonites. Caphtorites: Indo-European people of Crete. They were likely part of the massive migration of Sea Peoples, some of whom were later identified as Philistines. The LORD destroyed them: Notice that God lifts up and strikes down nations as He sees fit. Including the U.S.A. Trust and Obey Make up your mind. Here’s the truth: our sin is a solution to some problem (though it is a dreadful solution). Many of us are . We get comfort from our sin. Do you really want to be healed? Trust that God knows what you need better than you do. Trust that obedience will bring great solutions to your problems. Trust that God will give you the strength you need. When God commands something, He gives us the strength to obey. Openly practice gratitude. Don’t forget what God has done for you. Gratitude cultivates trust. (Deut. 7:18-19; Psa. 103:2-5; 107:1) Refuse to grumble, complain, or backbite, and call out those who do. Complaining . Complainers will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. (Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 10:10-11; Eph. 4:29) Start walking. If you fall, get back up! Remind yourself that repentance opens a new chapter in life. Quitting . Bonus Material So, you’re trying to defeat a great temptation, but you struggle to know how. Take the advice of Guy Hammond, Tempt-Away. Before you’re tempted, prepare an escape route. When you are tempted: Stop immediately and pray. Get up and move NOW!—in any direction that is good. Movement changes the focus of the mind. Consider the consequences. Feel the pain/blessing. Get help. Call or text a friend or your discipler and get immediate encouragement. “If you are discouraged, it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about people's opinions. Be obedient to truth. For with humble obedience, you will never be disturbed.” –Teresa of Calcutta Your notes: