For the past two years a CNN app has been my daily news provider. Though the articles and videos are entertaining and informative, I sense a tone of increasing anger in various areas of our existence. I find this very alarming.

A display of anger is like the firestorm we had in Kelowna, British Columbia in 2003.

Work-life balance dominates our thinking in a 24-7 work world. Navigating the daily digital demands is the new stressor replacing the old work-week grind. Consulting gurus talk about the “creative destruction” of business, medicine, education and government. Long standing social formations are tottering everywhere. The economic signals from long stable national economies are alarming. What is going on?

Pay attention! Moses almost seems to shout it out. That is particularly good advice if you have failed a test. But Moses was not just looking backward. He was laying down a personal devotional practice for the emerging nation. It would cement their identity as God-seekers. “Listen, Israel!” (Shemain Hebrew). From this demand has come down a practice of prayer for the centuries. It defines daily life for many today.

Moses had his game face on. Imagine standing at the Jordan River, preparing to take the field spreading out before you. The time of testing has come. Strength, skill and courage will all be tested. Faith is not only a contemplative matter. It is made visible in the place where testing occurs. Moses knew something of fear in his own life experience. He had once been on the run but God called him back to face down those fears.

Three things make us happy in our communities, according to Richard Florida(1). First is living in a physically beautiful place. Next is the ease of meeting others, followed by social diversity with equality of opportunity. The land that Moses describes certainly has the first attribute. It was a land that could make you happy and economically successful.

Success, this passage seems to say, is a gratitude test.

Moses was a master preacher. His speeches are a guide for this emerging nation-state. Following these rules Israel can become the example. Surrounding nations will recognize God’s love for all humanity, and the creatures too. But Moses was more than a powerful preacher. He was also the accomplished teacher, a master of his craft.

God’s plan is far reaching. It has continuity. The past promises connect to the future and also connect our lives to a promising future. The passing of time and events do not change that.

When the exiled returned home they possibly wondered if God would still fulfill the promises made to David. It had been a long time and their lives were different now.

Commentators suggest that Psalm 132 was a prayer for God to remember his covenant, which ensured that his presence and power would be with his people and that David’s line would continue.