Today’s Reading:
Deuteronomy 9:1-5
“It is not for your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out before you, and to confirm the oath which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 9:5 AMP)
Chapter 9 opens with a description of the nations which Israel was soon to face in battle. Israel was not to be afraid, as they had been forty years earlier, because God would fight for them. “He will destroy them … so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly.” Notice the complementary working of divine sovereignty and human agency. Both were essential for securing the Promised Land.
God had defeated the Canaanite inhabitants of the land, the Israelites were not to boast. Three times the people are warned about attributing success to their righteousness (vv. 4-6). God would give them the land … because of the wickedness of the present inhabitants (v. 4), because of His oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (v. 5), and not because of any merit in them. The truth of the matter is that they were stiff-necked (stubborn) (v. 6) as well as provocative and rebellious (v. 7). Sometimes in life we see some people enjoying some benefits that, humanly speaking, they are not entitled to, and some of us might have asked some questions about the impartiality of God. I have seen people saying God is partial. There was this lady who started a promiscuous life at a very tender age, several boy and man friends, abortion was just a normal thing for her. At a point she lost count of the number of abortions she had had. At a particular time, she got married to a serious and rich man, and after some years of marriage, she gave birth to babies. Imagine those who kept themselves before marriage, yet they are still waiting upon god for the fruit of the womb or a lady who is beauty personified, intact sexually and righteous, yet no one ever asked her out.
What an irony of life! Some people are enjoying some benefits just like God told the Israelites that all they are enjoying was because of the wickedness of those nations and the oath he swore to their forefathers. Friends, never compare yourself with anyone or use someone’s life to judge your own, each person is operating under different grace. God is never partial. Who knows whether what that person is enjoying is the rewards meant for his or her forefathers that they didn’t wait to enjoy? God can never be questioned or understood to the fullest. Well, I am not encouraging sin or infidelity but remain faithful because everyone will receive rewards here and hereafter. And if you are enjoying anything, be rest assured that it is only by the grace of God.
JAMES ALADE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord.”
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor or priest.
Prayer:
I shall experience grace unlimited in every aspect of my life in Jesus’ name.
Powers that want to swallow my joy die in Jesus’ name.
Evil arrangements to stop my divine benefits scatter in Jesus’ name.
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