Deuteronomy 1:30-31, “The LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just
as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes,
(31) and in the wilderness, where
you have seen how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all
the way that you went until you came to this place.'”
The first three
chapters of Deuteronomy recount the journey of Israel from Horeb to the
Promised Land. It doesn’t make for cheerful reading as it is largely a record
of Israel’s many disobediences and rebellions. But interspersed in these
chapters are bright rays of God and His goodness. One of these shining rays is
found in Deuteronomy 1:30-31, and it paints an encouraging picture for us.
Here Moses is
recounting the very worst rebellion of the Israelites, when they refused to
enter into the Promised Land. It is one of the most tragic moments in the
Scriptures, and a rebellion that has no genuine truth or justification for it.
Had it been a long, hard and difficult struggle for the people to get to this
point, or had they been already laid-low by constant conflict and therefore,
few in number, with many weak and injured. Had God told them they had to go it
alone, or had failed them repeatedly. Had any of these been true, then perhaps
we could understand why they rebelled.
But the reality is
they had no reason to rebel. As we read through this first chapter of
Deuteronomy, Moses doesn’t just recount the failing of the people, he also
recounts the faithfulness of God. In verse 10, we read of how God has prospered
the nation, they were now “as numerous
as the stars of heaven.” They were no small nation of people, in fact even
when they were still in Egypt, the Egyptians were afraid of the possible
ramifications of a complete Israelites coup against them. Furthermore, in verse
33, Moses reminds them of God’s constant presence with them, the “fire by night and in the cloud by day.”
As encouraging
as these truths of God’s prospering and presence are, the greatest of
encouragements in found in verses 30-31. It is God’s omnipotent protection and
sovereign will. We are given the picture of a father carrying his young son.
The father is bearing the full load, weight and responsibility, he is doing the
work, he is the one upon whom all things depend. As for the young boy, he is
simply called to hold on to his father and trust in him. Such was God’s goodness
towards the people of Israel. They could never by means of their own efforts
escape Egypt, cross the Red sea and get to the Promised Land with such ease and
in such strength. God has carried them, God had done everything for them. All
He has required of them was to trust obediently in Him. The fact was that God had
made a promise to them, a covenant promise, and nothing would hinder Him from
making certain that this promise was fulfilled, even if He had to literally pick
up and carry the entire nation the whole way and do all the work. His promise,
His sovereign plan was going to be accomplished. In the light of such a God,
what are a few fortified city, or firesome armies? They are nothing, and shall
be brought down, conquered just as the Egyptian army had been. There rebellion
had no grounds, rather they rebelled because they forgot who God is and what He
promised. They rebelled because they failed to remember God was carrying them,
and thus they were overcome with fear. They let go of the Father, stop depending
upon Him, squirmed out of his arms in their rebellion and fell to the ground.
For us who are
believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, this wonderful God, is not just our God, He
is also our Father and Saviour. He promises not just to carry us, He has also
promised to keep us in the palm of His hand, He has promised that nothing will be
able to separate us from His love and that He will bring us into His kingdom.
Our God carries, holds, provides, protects and keeps us, firmly, safely and for
eternity. This is the hope and confidence of the believer. And it is in this
hope that we can rejoice, for what is there that can take us out of God’s hand?
Let us give thanks to God this day, for the security and assurance we have. Let
us give thanks that whilst the future is unknown to us, He knows it and He will
carry, hold and keep us through it all. Let us learn to trust and depend upon
our Father and God all the more, turning away from human wisdom, or the fears
of this life. Our God is the faithful, omnipotent, sovereign God, and He will
not fail to be such a God towards us, even when we face our greatest, darkest
fears.
Unfailing, powerful, sovereign Father, we worship You
for the love which You have lavished upon us. How we thank You, that You are
carrying us, holding us, keeping us in Your hand. Thank You that You are the
one doing all the work, especially the works we could never do. Thank You for
redeeming us and for giving us the sure and certain hope of eternity with You.
By the aid and strengthening of Your Spirit, help us to rest and depend upon
You at all times and for all things. Amen.
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