God Sustains Us - Deuteronomy 32-34

 Deuteronomy 34:7 (ESV)

Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.

Moses’ life finally comes to an end.  But, the final words spoken about him speak about how God preformed a miracle in his body.   When we think of keeping ourselves healthy, we often turn to diets and physical exercises.   Those probably do something to keep the body healthy, but this was not Moses’ secret.  There is no doubt he completed his 10,000 steps each day.  They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.   Moses actually lived in that wilderness for 80 years.   He was there for 40 before God even called him to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt.   

During these last songs of Moses at the end of the book of Deuteronomy, Moses himself tells us about how he and the nation were sustained.  Note:

Deuteronomy 29:5 (ESV)

I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn off your feet.

During these 40 years of wandering the God preformed a miracle in regard to sustaining everything about the nation’s needs.    He did the same for Moses’ health.    Yes, it is wise to take care of your body.  Yes, it is wise to exercise and eat well.  Yes, it is wise to get the right amount of sleep and vitamins.   But, it is God who sustains our bodies for His service.   Note what Paul young Pastor Timothy:

1 Timothy 4:7-10 (ESV)

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

God sustained Moses for the task He designed for him.   God sustains us for the tasks He has for us.   God made sure that Moses’ eyes did not dim or his energy and strength would not wain.   

Notice that Caleb claimed the same thing as Joshua offered him an easy piece of inheritance.  He told Joshua he wanted to take the mountain.   Although he can come out of Egypt (like Joshua), spied out the land (at Moses’ request), wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (like Moses) and helped conquer the promise land, here was his response to Joshua’s attempt to give him an easy retirement gig:

Joshua 14:11 (ESV)

I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming.

When we walk with God He sustains us for His service no matter the conditions of that service.