“When the Lord your God has destroyed the nations whose land he is giving you..”
I heard a story of a boy and a dad at McDonald’s one day. They go in, order their food, take it back to a seat in the restaurant, and begin to enjoy McDonald’s food, a memorable father-son time that both of them enjoy. As they both start eating their food, the dad reaches over and asks for a French fry. The son, without hesitation, says, “NO!” The dad asks again, and again the response is, “NO!”
We can all walk through life together and be like this boy, enjoying all we have. There is nothing wrong with that. In this verse in Deuteronomy, it is clear that the Lord will destroy the nations whose land He is giving to the Israelites. Now, you might say that the men fighting in the battle actually defeated the enemy. The Israelites did battle, and a victory was had over all the ites, if you will.
If you stop there, you will miss what really happened. The Israelites have not even stepped one foot into the Promised Land, and the Lord makes this statement that He has already destroyed, past tense, the nations before them. Maybe you are right where your best life is just across your River Jordan. Across that river are nations of large, powerful people which, in your eyes, are too large for you to defeat. The next step across that river means you will have to fight. You can even see the enemy, and their cities look impressive. Then you look back at yourself, and you seem like “grasshoppers” in comparison.
The Bible says that your steps are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). He has already destroyed the nations before you so you can move forward. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
What the son at McDonald’s did not realize is that his dad could have purchased more fries for him, enough that he would get sick of them. Maybe you are that son, seeing only what you can put your hands on. You see, the Lord told the Israelites that He had destroyed the nations before they ever stepped one foot across the Jordan River. Today, don’t be afraid to cross the river even if there are giants on the other side. You are a son or daughter of the King, and that King has already defeated Satan with the blood on the cross. Don’t see defeat; believe in the victory even when you have not begun to fight. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Prayer: Father, help me to see the victory You have already won in my path. I pray for the eyes of my heart to open and see the Lord leveling the mountains that are giants in my life. I declare victory over them and cast them into the sea in Jesus’ name, amen.
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