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A long time ago,  in  a  land far  away, lived a king, a big king, a big king named King Og.  King Og reigned in Bashan, a land fair and bright; a land full of prospects, but not really all right.  King Og was sure prideful and full of himself; calling  his kingdom, the Kingdom of Og.  He was a giant, so some people say. In a bed 13 feet long, 13 feet long did he lay.  He thought he was great, was sure he was strong; of greater and greater conquests he longed.

One day a messenger came into his kingdom; carried he a message; some people wanted to come.  ‘Twas a message from Moses that was read by the King.  The message requested permission to pass, to pass  through the Kingdom of Og really fast.  “We don’t want to fight,  we don’t want to meddle, we’re on our way, the Promised  Land to settle.”

King Og read the note with a snort and a smirk, “What’s Moses think?  I’m some kind of jerk?”  He rallied his forces, he rallied his men, he gathered his army and it was to war that he went.

Now God was with Moses, He led him along.  For forty long years did God lead him along.   Led him through desert,  led him through plain, with great strength, to the Promised Land they came.  Meeting the vast army of prideful King Og, God comforted Moses, saying we’ll chase him home like a dog.

The Hebrews rose up and went out to King Og.  With God by their side they did  battle and slay.  They fought and they routed old king Og that  day.  They smote all  his soldiers and took all their loot.  They took all their land and houses to boot. Fleeing in terror, the Ogites did run.  Close on their heals, with hearts full of joy, the Israelite soldiers chased them into the sun. God loved his dear people and helped them to win.  He fought right beside them again  and  again.  They won  a great victory, and happy were they.   They won  a big battle and rejoiced big that day.

So what is the point of this short moral tale?  When your walking with God, you’re going to sail.   And what can you learn while you’re reading this blog?  When you see God is coming, don’t be like  King  Og.

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I was reading Deuteronomy, chapter three the other day, in the old King James version.  I read the story of the demise of King Og.  The story stuck in my mind all day and I was working with it to make a kind of Dr. Seuss type story.  It’s not that great, but was kinda fun to write.  I must admit, I took some “artistic license” liberties, but in general it is fairly accurate to the real account.  The Bible says he was a “giant” about 13 feet tall.  The bigger they are, the harder they fall.  King Og is also mentioned in Numbers and Psalms, among other places.  God is always telling his people “to remember” or “do not forget”.  Remember what?  Don’t forget what?  That God loves his chosen people and wants them to be happy, triumphant, and obedient.  That He will be beside us, over us, behind us, in front of us, and, if need be, carry us, when we face the enemy.  Our enemies are the World, the Flesh, and the Devil, according to Martin Luther, and we do battle with them every day.   Depending on God for our strength assures us of the victory.  Whether that victory is sooner or later, only God knows (and He ain’t tellin’), but the important thing is that He is with us in the battle.

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As you go on your way, may God go with you.
May God go before you to show you the way.
May God go behind you to encourage you,
beside you to befriend you,
above you to watch over you,
and within you to give you peace,

In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit.

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