Read: Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22 & Luke 8:4-21 & Psalm 69:19-36 & Proverbs 12:2-3
In Deuteronomy 9, Israel is ready to engage in a battle it should not win. The Israelites are up against a greater and stronger nation, with large cities and strapping soldiers. The Israelites didn’t have a cunning military strategy, they had something better. They had God on their side. The Lord promised to go before Israel like a devouring fire and quickly destroy their opponent.
I wonder if it would build our faith, or maybe alarm us, if we realized how often God intervenes in our lives? Every day God is at work on our behalf. He does this because He loves us, because He is righteous and because He protects what is His. Even if we are facing insurmountable odds, God will be with us. He will go before us and destroy our enemy, whose name is Satan.
In today’s culture, believing a promise can be difficult. Too often, people don’t follow through on their word. The Israelites weren’t that different from us. They had doubts, and they were often stubborn. God is constantly reminding them not to count their victory as their own, because at times they, too, were full of pride and self sufficiency.
Thankfully, God is not like us. He is faithful and just. What He has promised, He will do, often in spite of us. After all was said and done, God redeemed Israel. Against great odds, He protected them and gave them the promised land just like He said He would.
Philippians 1:6 tells us that “...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God is always faithful to what He has promised. As you go about your day, be encouraged that God is working your life just like He was with the Israelites.
