God’s faithfulness is way better than ours.
Deuteronomy 9:4-5,7-8 "After the LORD your God has done this for you, don't say in your hearts, 'The LORD has given us this land because we are such good people!' No, it is because of the wickedness of the other nations that he is pushing them out of your way.
5 It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The LORD your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness, and to fulfill the oath he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Moses has been talking to God's people in a series of final speeches before he dies and they enter the Promised Land without him. Much more important than Ted Talks, Moses's talks really matter for the peace and prosperity of the nation.
God is gracious to bless all mankind, but He goes above and beyond for His children. When we are in the wilderness with God, we need to remember that being with Him there is a far better place than being in Egypt without Him.
Moses warned them that they need to remember God's blessings in the wilderness while they are uncomfortable, but they also need to remember Him in times of prosperity and comfort. Our rebellion cannot be blamed on our circumstances. In problems or prosperity, in little or in luxury, we have to stay alert.
Remember How You Provoked the Lord (Deuteronomy 9:7)
Before they get to the Promised Land and feel like they earned it, Moses makes sure they realize they didn't do anything to deserve being there.
Deuteronomy 9:7 "Remember and never forget how angry you made the LORD your God out in the wilderness. From the day you left Egypt until now, you have been constantly rebelling against him. 8 Even at Mount Sinai you made the LORD so angry he was ready to destroy you.
Their rebellion started as soon as they left Egypt, and it wasn't going to stop anytime soon. To make his point crystal clear, Moses reminds the nation that they have rebelled in the past and will surely do it again.
God revealed himself to his people to help them believe:
- The display of his power in Egypt through the 10 plagues,
- The fact that they didn't have to leave Egypt forcefully instead the were told to leave,
- The miracle Red Sea crossing that eliminated their enemy
- The daily provision of food and water
- God grants them a miraculous military victory when the Amalekites attack
- God showed them a small portion of his glory on Mount Sinai which was a fearful sight
The trip from Egypt has only been about three months long, it has been
filled with a growing amount of revelation of God to his people but instead
of belief and trust, their response is complete rebellion. (Exodus 19:1)
Remembering Our Rebellion Matters
Moses forces them to look at their shameful past to help them avoid repeating it. He hopes that by remembering how quickly they turned away from God before, they will be far less likely to rebel in the future.
While executing God's judgment on the Canaanite nations, Israel would naturally be tempted to take credit for something they didn't do. Taking credit for God's work is a very dangerous trap.
Moses warned in Deuteronomy that if Israel acted like the Canaanites, they would face Canaanite judgment.
We can always look around and find someone whose sin seems bigger than our own. God's people were at risk of losing focus while working for Him, arrogantly viewing their victories as proof that they were simply His favorites.
Working for God and seeing victory in ministry can be just as blinding as winning battles against evil nations. It is easy to lose perspective and forget that we are doing God's work strictly out of His grace and mercy. We could just as easily be the ones punished for our sins.
History would quickly prove after the death of Joshua that choosing Israel to execute judgment wasn't about their goodness.
Judges 2:7,10-11 And the Israelites served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the leaders who outlived him-those who had seen all the great things the LORD had done for Israel.10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. 11 The Israelites did evil in the LORD's sight and served the images of Baal.
Israel Forgot
Israel was faithful until they forgot. What a simple reminder to keep God's perspective at the front of our minds! The book of Joshua shows us the success of a people who trust and obey their God. But the book of Judges shows us the heartbreaking consequences of forgetting.
Egypt Forgot
I am reminded of the nation of Egypt. They were blessed and prosperous until they forgot. Over the course of 400 years, they went from a thriving nation that saved God's people from famine to a nation destroyed by plagues and a devastating military loss at the Red Sea.
Exodus 1:8 Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done.
Forgetting Joseph led them to oppress the very people who had preserved their empire, directly setting up the plagues and the downfall of Pharaoh's power.
The consequences of forgetting God are devastating. It is the easiest and most subtle form of rebellion. It catches us off guard because it so often happens while we are busy doing God's work. Victory in Canaan was a gift of God's grace that required ongoing humility and a clear memory of their own tendency to forget and return to rebellion.
Remember Your Deliverance
Despite my own lack of goodness, God delivered me from the kingdom of darkness so that I could live for Him and do His work. Just as Moses interceded for God's people and asked for mercy and forgiveness, I must do the same.
Deuteronomy 9:27 Please overlook the stubbornness and the awful sin of these people, and remember instead your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
My righteousness is far less than my rebellion. I must intentionally remember my deliverance that came out of God's mercy and confess my rebellion and my tendency to fall short of trusting and obeying God and being thankful for his goodness in my life.
Yet my rebellion must not dominate my thoughts or lead to despair. I need to keep things in perspective so I can live with gratitude for the great things He does through me.
Thank You, God, for Your deliverance from the kingdom of darkness through Your Son, who never rebelled. Help me stay in Your Word daily so I can remain faithful as I cross the wilderness on my way to the Promised Land.
