Deut. 9:1-3

We’ve all faced daunting challenges, hopeless obstacles, and frightening situations. They come in different packages ... financial, health, family, work, school, business ventures or seeking a solution to an injustice we have suffered.  Overwhelming circumstances can sap our strength, courage and joy.  What are we to do?  Walk by faith in the promise that God is with us always.

Israel faced an “impossible” situation when they were about to enter the Promised Land.  Moses doesn’t try to sugar-coat the situation ... he tells them the truth ... their mission is humanly impossible!  “Hear O Israel! You are crossing over the Jordan today to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, great cities fortified to heaven, a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know and of whom you have heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the sons of Anak?’”  This is the same discouraging news the spies had given to discourage Israel.  So how does Moses counsel Israel in this situation?  He tells them the truth regarding the situation, but He also reminds them God is with them.

“Know therefore today that it is the Lord your God who is crossing over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you ...”  God Himself would go before Israel and subdue and destroy their enemies. That’s the good news.  But Israel had to walk by faith.  They still had to fight and trust God to have given them the victory.  Moses said, “... He will destroy them and He will subdue them before you, so that you may drive them out and destroy them quickly, just as the Lord has spoken to you.”

In our trials, our ministry, our witness, our everyday life ... we are to walk by faith trusting that God is with us always and will strengthen us for our tasks by His Holy Spirit.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” [Pr. 3:5-6].

Pastor Jim