Suggested Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 17-20
Devotional Thought:
Title: “The Guarantee of Victory.”
Once the land of Canaan had been possessed there would still be enemies in the surrounding nations. If the children of Israel obeyed God by driving out the enemies, they would inhabit a land more prosperous than those scattered around the promised land. This would motivate the greediness of other nations and could cause battles to possess the Land, and they must be prepared to fight to defend their territory. As Canaan speaks today of the heavenly blessings which can be enjoyed by believers, the lesson is clear. Because the Devil does not want anyone to be saved, there is a battle to come into the relationship with God, and there is also a battle to preserve that enjoyment of salvation. The Devil seeks to prevent any joy in salvation and, should he fail at that, he will attempt to destroy any joy that may develop. When approaching the enemy there was a fundamental difference between the situation for God’s people and that by the Gentiles. The Gentile nations relied on the power of might, just as the Egyptians had done, but Israel must rely on the Lord. Armies of that day were so arrayed that even the sight of them would strike fear into the hearts of their opponents. Faced with all the display of military power Israel had no reason to fear. The very mention of their release from Egypt reminded them of the great deliverance that they had known from the power of the mightiest army of that day. The victory that had been gained was so clearly the work of the Lord that no one could claim otherwise. However, there was little doubt that the armies of Israel did look poorly organized. There was no instruction at this stage for there to be a standing army. When the enemy attacked the people were called on to form a fighting force. However, the promise of the presence of the Lord on the day of battle, repeated in vs. 4, was the guarantee of their victory. In chapter 20 there is a fourfold appeal to Israel: “let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble neither be ye terrified because of them.” First, they must not faint, that is they had no reason to be weak in their resolve. Facing the enemy is no place for the faint hearted. Second, they had no reason to fear. This was the condition of the hearts of the Israelites as the Philistines came against them to battle, a fear that made them realize that they could not win the battle with their own strength. Third, they had no reason to tremble. The Israelites had no reason to be tempted to flee before the enemy. Fourth, they had no reason to be terrified. The Israelites had no cause to be completely overwhelmed by terror as they viewed the power and might of their enemies. For the Christian today, we are in the same situation and we must not faint in our responsibility to fight for the Lord, we must not try to fight in our own strength, we must not ever turn and run, and we must not be intimidated by the enemy. “Greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to never faint before the enemies of the world. Please help me to stand fast and having done all to stand.
- Lord, please help me to never try to fight the spiritual warfare in my own strength. Please remind me that I am no match for my flesh, the world, or the Devil.
- Lord, please help me to remember the battle belongs to you and you have promised victory already.