Deuteronomy 20
Today's Passage: Deuteronomy 20
In this chapter, I want to focus on two things:
1. Seeking God’s presence
For Israel, they were about to go to war. They are going to enter the Promise Land very soon and fighting was soon upon them. God gives them confidence – a confidence that only comes from seeking God’s presence. God told the Israelites to not be afraid because He was with them as He had been in Egypt (v. 1a). God is reminding them of His previous deliverance and future hope. In verse 4, He promises them victory again.
For Israel, God’s presence and victory coincided. Israel was not going to have victory apart from God. The same is true for us today. If we are not in Christ, we are bound to lose. But, if we have a relationship with God, He has promised us victory through Jesus and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:37 says: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
This leads to our second point:
2. Our dependency on God
Israel was not responsible for their victories, and neither are we. It’s evident when God told Israel who was already outnumbered in some battles to continue sending others home (v. 5-9).
John 15:5 says: (Jesus talking) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Our dependency should come from seeking God’s presence – I don’t want to isolate these two. When we have a correct perspective of who we are and who God is, it should make us recognize our need for Him!
Israel ultimately failed in both areas. They stopped seeking God’s presence and, in their pride, thought they could do things on their own. May that not be the case for us! May we run to Jesus with our problems!
Written By: Brice Stockton
In this chapter, I want to focus on two things:
1. Seeking God’s presence
For Israel, they were about to go to war. They are going to enter the Promise Land very soon and fighting was soon upon them. God gives them confidence – a confidence that only comes from seeking God’s presence. God told the Israelites to not be afraid because He was with them as He had been in Egypt (v. 1a). God is reminding them of His previous deliverance and future hope. In verse 4, He promises them victory again.
For Israel, God’s presence and victory coincided. Israel was not going to have victory apart from God. The same is true for us today. If we are not in Christ, we are bound to lose. But, if we have a relationship with God, He has promised us victory through Jesus and the sealing of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:37 says: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
This leads to our second point:
2. Our dependency on God
Israel was not responsible for their victories, and neither are we. It’s evident when God told Israel who was already outnumbered in some battles to continue sending others home (v. 5-9).
John 15:5 says: (Jesus talking) I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Our dependency should come from seeking God’s presence – I don’t want to isolate these two. When we have a correct perspective of who we are and who God is, it should make us recognize our need for Him!
Israel ultimately failed in both areas. They stopped seeking God’s presence and, in their pride, thought they could do things on their own. May that not be the case for us! May we run to Jesus with our problems!
Written By: Brice Stockton
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