“Hear, O Israel: you are to cross over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, cities great and fortified up to heaven, a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you’ve heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the sons of Anak?’ Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the Lord your God. He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as the Lord has promised.
“Do not say in your heart, after the Lord your God has thrust them out before you, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,’ whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out.., and that he may confirm the word that [he] swore to your fathers.
“The Lord is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people… you have been rebellious…
“The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession,.. not because you were more in number that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers… Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God.” Deuteronomy 9:1-4,5b-7; 7:6-9
Today. Nothing matches the anticipation, the excitement, like today. What you have looked forward to, the expected but unknown you have waited for, the fulfillment of a sure promise, is occurring today. Packaged with Moses’ bold announcement were tidbits of pointed reminder he deemed necessary as the Israelites would finally enter their land.
Remember your enemy, and the great thing God is about to do for you. Be realistic. They are big, foreboding, and powerful. They are entrenched in the land He will give you to possess. Do not forget the stronghold you are up against, and that He is your leader. (1 Peter 5:8)
Remember who this faithful, loving Lord is, and that He is the One taking You in and leading your conquest. He is the consuming fire in battle and in jealousy over His people. He is the One who subdues the enemy. Do not think too highly of your own strength or righteousness. God will thrust out your enemies because they deserve their judgment. (Deuteronomy 4:24)
Remember, you also deserve judgment. Don’t be haughty. God in sovereign, merciful love chose you as His own, not because you earned or deserve His favor. This is all of Him and His grace. (John 15:16; Romans 12:3)
Having assessed vicious enemies, alert to raging temptation, in view of flesh affections and weaknesses, what is God calling us to vanquish today in His strength? What anxiety has He promised to conquer, what apathy will He overcome, what giants of fear or confusion, timidity or regret, has He equipped us to take on and displace? Would we now march confidently in His armor, following His fire, and possess the free, wide place He’s promised? (Psalm 18:19; Ephesians 6:10-17)
Lord, help me seize all You have for me today, taking full advantage of Your promises and enabling to possess Your immeasurable bounty. To You be all honor and glory.
As the rain and snow 