Deuteronomy 2:2-3. “And the Lord spake unto me, saying, ‘Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.’”
YE HAVE COMPASSED THIS MOUNTAIN LONG ENOUGH. It was the right place – for awhile God chose that stopping place – for awhile There was a time of great learning – for awhile Service for God there was good – for awhile
Long years were spent in Seir – waiting Moses spoke of those years in few words – waiting The fortieth year has come; still – waiting Miriam, then Aaron; funerals by the thousands – waiting
Now the word from the Lord – long enough The old generation is gone, you are here – long enough There is nothing for you here now – long enough It is time for you to move north, you’ve been here – long enough
It is possible to be content and want no changes – satisfied Your family has lived here, you are used to it – satisfied There are burial places here of the old generation – satisfied You are so used to second or third rate you are – satisfied
Rise up and move on – put this in the past The people who murmured – put this in the past The forty years of waiting – put this in the past All the failures of obeying God – put this in the past
Pack your things and prepare – move on Don’t hesitate to obey God this time – move on Follow the leading of the cloud and pillar – move on Don’t look back to where you have been – move on
We are still here waiting, Lord – look up There seems to be so much wrong, Lord – look up Even the governments and money fail, Lord – look up I am starting to get tired and slow, Lord – look up
“Father, there have been times when I have moved too hastily, I know. Other times I have dragged my heels not wanting to make a move for fear of making a mistake. Now that I am more mature, I think I am getting a better sense of when to move and when to stay, but I still need guidance and assurance of each step I take. O leave me not to make my way through the days, years and events Thou hast planned for me. Sometimes I think I have compassed this mountain long enough. Other times I think I have been in Oregon and the Northwest long enough. I am ready Father, for whatever is Thy will. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”