Not much has changed since these words were written. The rich have plenty of “friends” who hope to benefit from their wealth. Foolishness leads only to more foolishness, as those who make unwise use of credit cards can attest. Friendship with untrustworthy people will let you down. People like this do not know security.

On the other hand, kindness to those in need, wanting what is good, hard work, wisdom, honesty – these are the characteristics of the person who loves God and wants to please him.

Fish and bread. Simple, everyday stuff. Depending on where in Canada you live, it might have looked like meat and potatoes, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Either way, it was a common brown-bagged lunch. Yet, it was the stuff of miracles.

Most of us have plenty of opportunities to ask for spectacular miracles.

Have you ever been on a treasure hunt? You are given a clue which will direct you to the next clue, which directs you to the next clue until finally, you put it all together and you have discovered a treasure!

This is what we see Jesus doing throughout the Gospels. He gave clues to his identity. Jesus knew his disciples were well acquainted with the Old Testament.

We called it “The Lincoln speech”. It happened on the last day of the US History class. This talk was so popular that some took the course just to hear it. In most years the white-haired professor got a standing ovation. But then he retired and it was gone. The times had changed. But now once again last lectures are popular, as The Last Lecture viewer numbers prove.

In Deuteronomy we have the collected speeches Moses made to Israel.

Failure is never fun! And it is not what we are planning on either. No one sets out in the morning saying, “How can I fail today?” “What problem can I run away from now?” And Israel, Moses reminds us, is no different. But they let their fears and anxieties win. It took a major resetting of priorities for them to succeed. Can we do any better?

The story in Deuteronomy is aimed at people who are trying new things.

Success formulas are everywhere. Moses had a formula too. It was simple and catchy—listen to God, obey his commands and you will live well and prosper. Listen, obey, live well and prosper. That almost sounds like Spock in a Star Trek movie trailer. The difference, and it is an enormous one, is that this one comes with a proven track record. This isn’t just hope at the end of a script writer’s pen. It has been tested on the fiery mountain of God.

God is there for us and we can trust him. Even when our circumstances seem to take an unwelcomed turn, God is still at work. He has a way of moving us forward and keep his promises.

Psalm 105 is a beautiful snapshot of God’s faithfulness in the past history of Israel. The Psalmist invites us to continue to lean on him and to tell the story of his faithfulness to everyone. “Praise the Lord and pray in his name! Tell everyone what he has done.”