Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 08, 2023: SOAP #4843: Deuteronomy 7-9; Mark 19

SCRIPTURE:  Deuteronomy (NIV) 9:1 Hear, O Israel. You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky… 3 But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you. 4  After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you.

OBSERVATION:  How clearly Moses put it.  God was not depending on them.  God was not counting on their strength or wisdom.  God was going to go before them and bring the victories.  They would have a part in driving them out, but God was their assurance of victory.  God should get the glory!  

So verse four is also clear.  It is not because Israel has been so perfect, but because these nations have been so wicked!  Those nations will never be able to stand before God and say, “We did not deserve to be driven out.”  They had 400 years to consider the life of Abraham and 40 years to consider how God brought Israel out of Egypt!

APPLICATION: How special is it to walk with God.  First:  He directs my path.  He tells me where to go.  There is always a challenge because Satan is going to oppose anything God is doing.  Second:  God promises to go with me.  I do not have to face the challenge alone!   The One who has already defeated Satan is accompanying me!  Wow!  Third:  When I arrive, I do not just meet the enemy, I discover that God is already there!  He got there before I did!   Double Wow!  He told me where to go; He went with me; and He was already there when I arrived!  

PRAYER:   Lord, thank you that I can do more than hope, I am assured of your promise and presence.  I am blest!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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