"Enemies Too Big!" February 14 Readings: Deuteronomy 18-23

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2022

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but I have divided it so that we will spend half the year in the OT, and half the year in the NT. 

Bible Readings:  Deuteronomy 18-23  

Background:   

The expansion of the law of God continues. As you read these laws, look for the character quality of God behind the law. We may not be under the law, but our God does not change.

Daily Devotional:  Enemies Too Big!

Quite a pep talk God gave Israel through Moses in Deuteronomy 20:1-4. "Your enemies are always going to be bigger than you! Aren't we supposed to tell people that God won't give them more than they can handle? Aren't we supposed to motivate them to victory? But Moses told them that every foe they faced would be bigger and stronger than they.

And that was pretty much true throughout Israel's history.

And it is true in your life as well. Someone observed that we have three great enemies. The devil has rebelled against God and goes about on this earth as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The world we live in is enslaved to his lies and does obeisance to him. And our own sinful flesh is drawn to the ways of the world instead of to God. The world, the flesh, and the devil - three enemies each of whom is bigger than we are. Satan can defeat me. The world can overpower me. My own flesh will betray me.

But Moses' message to Israel was anything but hopeless.

When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. 2 When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army. 3 He is to say to them: ‘Listen, Israel: Today you are about to engage in battle with your enemies. Do not be cowardly. Do not be afraid, alarmed, or terrified because of them. 4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’ 20:1-4

Do not be afraid. The enemy may be bigger than you are, but the God we serve is bigger than the enemies we face. He defeated Satan at the Cross. The world could not overcome Christ with its darkness. And the Risen Lord overcomes the power of the flesh in us, rendering it impotent by the indwelling Spirit.

Every enemy I ever face as a Christian will be bigger than I am, but I need not ever be defeated because Jesus is bigger than they are.

Thank you, Father, for the power of your Son to defeat all my enemies! May I rely on him and not on my own power. 

 

Consider God's Word:

Do you fight in the power of the flesh (and fail) or do you rely on Christ and the power of the Spirit to stand in victory - as God intended?