Deuteronomy 2:1-3 English Standard Version

2 “Then we turned and journeyed into the wilderness in the direction of the Red Sea, as the Lord told me. And for many days we traveled around Mount Seir. ² Then the Lord said to me, ³ ‘You have been traveling around this mountain country long enough. Turn northward

The first lesson to be learned here is to follow the last command of the Lord until directed otherwise.

The second is to know that God knows when traveling in circles has accomplished in us all that God deems necessary. We might not understand the purpose for this seemingly repetitive cycle of living but God knowns what is required even if we do not.

Thirdly and most importantly, be faithful in what God has asked of us and new marching orders will come.

When our unit first came to Vietnam we were ordered to walk through muddy rice paddies with no goal except to continue to keep walking. We did not understand why until after we no longer needed to repeat the exercise. It was to condition our bodies to endure the conditions and become stronger. As time passed troops died and were replaced. Those that came from the states did not gain the benefit of that training and they suffered because of it.

What God asks of us in obedience of faith is meant for our good, even if at the time we do not understand it. I remember the lessons of Vietnam and found one example which I could use over the years. “Stop complaining and keep going.”

Whining about out circumstances requires us to stop forward progress. Faithfulness understands that and keeps moving until given further orders.

Likened by Larry Perry

1 Timothy 1:5 English Standard Version (ESV) The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

There is something special about the number 3. It points to the trinity of God and reminds us that we are made in three parts, as God is three parts, and created in His image.

Here with the reminder that our aim is love which is an issue that comes from within us, we see three. A pure heart, the dwelling place of Christ. A good conscience, the human mind conditioned by behavior. Then sincere faith which is that connection between the other two creating unity and agreement.

It is important to remember that this is in fact an aim. Much has been said in the past about looking at sin as our aim at perfection and missing the mark by either a little or altogether. That is an analogy which some tend to use to help them focus on keeping a clear conscience which is not the same as a good conscience.

A good conscience is in agreement with the pure heart at the direction of sincere faith. They all work together. The mind which is flesh is subject to many sensory impressions and worldly influences. Those things tend to scream at us trying to hinder us from hearing the still small voice of faith.

This is not a character flaw. God created us with free will. We must choose to love God above all these worldly influences to keep our relationship moving on the path chosen for us by God. There is good reason why the term “led astray” applies to our walk of faith.