Deuteronomy 7
SCRIPTURE
Deuteronomy 7:17-18
You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?” But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.
OBSERVATION – What does it say?
The Israelites had been miraculously delivered from the Egyptians where they were slaves for over 400 years. God was bringing them through the wilderness to the land he had promised to give them. In this chapter, God speaks to the Israelites through Moses about how they are to drive out all the nations who currently lived in the land God promised them.
Many of the nations currently living in the promised land were large, powerful and stronger than the Israelites. So naturally, the thought of engaging in a fight with them brought fear.
God commands them not to be afraid, but to look back and remember that the same God who delivered them from the Egyptians in the past will deliver them from every nation that they face in the future.
UNDERSTANDING – What does it mean?
“REMEMBER WELL WHAT THE LORD YOUR GOD DID.”
Several years ago I found myself once again stressed about finances. I was crying out to God for help and I sensed God ask me, “How many times have you been worried about finances before?” Embarrassed I knew the answer was more times than I could count. Then I sensed God say, “And you’re still here, right?” I looked around and it was like the light bulb finally went on. God has provided for me every single time. I still had a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in my stomach. For every time it looked like I wasn’t going to make it, God came through. Ever since that day, I can honestly say that I haven’t gotten stressed about finances.
The day after Jesus fed the 4,000 he was in a boat with his disciples when a couple of them began to panic because they forgot to bring bread for their journey. Jesus responded, “Do you still not understand?!” He pointed to two occasions in the past where there was a great need and he provided so much that there was a bunch left over. In other words he was saying, “How long until you get it? Remember well what the Lord your God did and you’ll learn that with God you’ll never have to worry about having enough bread.”
David had courage to face Goliath because he remembered well. He told king Saul: “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37)
May God bring this lesson to mind next time we read the verse on the wall of our Family Room, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
LIFE APPLICATION
What is your need today? What is causing you fear today? Look back and “remember well what the Lord your God did.” In scripture. In your own experience. The same God who delivered/provided/protected/healed/saved in the past will do the same for you today.
God, forgive me for the times I give into fear and anxiety. I choose to remember well what you’ve done in the past and put my faith in you for the things I’m facing today. Amen.
- Levi Thompson