Deuteronomy 20:1-4 - "When you go
out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater
than your own, do not be afraid. The LORD your God, who brought you safely out
of Egypt, is with you! Before you go into battle, the priest will come forward to speak with
the troops. He
will say, 'Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out
to fight today! Do not lose heart or panic. For the LORD your God is going with you! He
will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!'
Moses knew they were going to see some
pretty tough times. The people they were going to drive out of the Promised
land were strong people…who lived in fortified cities….that had trained
military. Moses planted these words of strength and courage into their souls…to
make sure they knew that the God they served was going before them…to fight for
them. His words were meant to strike a boldness in their hearts…that quickened their
step…and gave new purpose to their feet.
God wants all of us to take these great
words of strength and courage to heart…for Satan creates a new battle for us to
fight every day. Satan wants us to
believe that we are alone…and the fight is futile…and just give up. Satan wants us to see the situation we find
ourselves in…as hopeless…and just give up….and never even fight.
These words God gave Moses were mirrored throughout
the rest of the Bible. Isaiah 52:12 says….
“For ye shall not go out with
haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go
before you; and the God of Israel
will be your reward. Joshua 1:9 says…
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not
be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Psalm 23:4 says…. “Even
though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with
me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” There are many more…but I just have to include Paul’s inspiring writing
in Romans 8:31…. “What, then, shall we say in
response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
That great new song is playing in my head
by the Newsboys…that says….. “God’s not dead…he’s surely alive…he’s living on
the inside… roaring like a lion. He wants to come alive on the inside of each
of us and empower us to throw off any old baggage that Satan is using to keep
us bound in fear. That fear folks is
keeping you from doing God’s perfect will…it is stopping you from knowing just
what your promised land even is.
God is a God of power and strength….and
courage. He wants us to be so in love
with him that nothing can keep us from following him into the battle of our
lives. He wants to free us from all our
fears and empower us to work for him…no matter what he calls us to do.
Father...I thank you for these words you
gave to Moses. Help me to take them to
heart this morning and never forget that I am never alone. You have sent to Earth the Holy Spirit to
walk with me and hold my hand through any battle Satan creates to sidetrack me
from knowing you as fully as I can. Help
me to claim the promise of victory through your word. Amen.
http://youtu.be/S_OTz-lpDjw
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