God is Victorious

Author: Joseph

Date: February 17, 2019

Moses was continuously reminding Israel of God’s wonderful deeds and retelling their history. All throughout his explanation, Moses reminded them repeatedly to remember God and to remember to obey Him. He also explained to Israel why they had to suffer the long journey in the wilderness and the good results of this hard journey.

The Israelites were made to wander the wilderness for forty years because instead of trusting in God to deliver their enemies into their hands, they looked to their own strength, which was lacking. They took pride in themselves. Moses explained to the new generation of Israelites that they wandered the wilderness so that God would humble them and test their hearts (Deuteronomy 8:2). Their pride had to be broken so that they would see that victory only comes through God.

The people of Israel were often hungry and had to rely on God for manna so that they would know that “man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3). The words spoken by God would provide for them. God’s words were able to bring all of creation into existence; they could also provide the daily needs of His creatures. Even their clothing did not wear out along the journey. Israel was assured that by trusting in God and not themselves, they would be provided their needs even during great trials.

Israel was disciplined in the wilderness, just as a loving father disciplines his son; He was training them to be obedient to His words (Deuteronomy 8:5-6). The Israelites that left out of Egypt were often disobedient and would not listen to the words of God as spoken through Moses. After many hardships, plagues, and death, Israel understood that it was better to deny themselves and obey God’s commandments. Whenever Israel did what they desired, contrary to God, they always suffered. Whenever they obeyed Him and sought Him with all their will, they were victorious.

After a long journey in the wilderness, Israel was now ready to bear good fruit from their discipline. Discipline, however, was not the end of the journey. When they were told that they would inherit the land and enjoy all of its benefits, they were also warned not to lose their reliance on God. If they would not keep His commandments, then when they received their blessing, pride would overcome their hearts and they would forget God (Deuteronomy 8:11-14). God knew that this would also lead them to say that it was by their own power and strength that they were blessed. Israel was reminded, “Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the Lord” Deuteronomy 8:20).

A journey through the wilderness is sometimes necessary to build humility into our lives and for us to understand that reliance on God is the only way to victory. We often, however, fall into self-deceit that we are capable of doing what God is only able to do. The truth is that only God provides, only God blesses us with good, only God can give us victory over our enemies or over difficult trials. It is God that led Israel “through the great and terrible wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water” (Deuteronomy 8:15). Just like Israel, it would be foolish for us to believe that we are capable of having any kind of victory without God.

You cannot have victory without God. Whatever “successes” you have obtained in your life apart from Him will not last. The pride you take in your own abilities is a false hope.

True victory only comes through God because only God can bring about good. Success in God’s eyes is not the same as the world sees it; success with God is staying reliant on Him and trusting that the results He brings us are good. The world sees success as satisfying our own selfish desires, whether intended for good or bad. We should remain humble and always rely on His abilities rather than our own strength. We do not have the ability to make anything truly good happen in our lives.

When do you claim a victory? To whom do you give credit for the good in your life? Looking at your own life, are many of the things you thought were good and successful now revealed to be lacking reliance on God and guidance from Him?

Bible Passage: Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). www.lockman.org