READING:
One-year plan: Numbers 30-32
Two-year plan: Job 21, Acts 22:6-21
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God is the One who fights the battles for us — and when He fights, no one can defeat Him. That’s not to say, though, that we have no responsibility. Today’s reading about the tribes that remained on the east of the Jordan River makes that clear.
Moses finally agreed to allow the tribes to stay in that region, but only as long as they were willing to lead the other tribes into battle as they conquered their enemies in the Promised Land. Notice how Moses described their responsibility: “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the Lord for battle and if all of you who are armed cross over the Jordan before the Lord until he has driven his enemies out before him — then when the land is subdued before the Lord, you may return and be free from your obligation to the Lord and to Israel. And this land will be your possession before the Lord” (Num 32:20-22).
These words are instructive to us.
- These tribes were to arm themselves for war, but it would be the Lord who gives victory.
- The soldiers were to fight, but God was their warrior.
- They were to put on their armor, but they would win only because God would subdue the enemies.
- They were to cross the river to engage the battle, but it was God who would drive out the opposition.
In the end, God alone would get the glory. The enemy wins, at least temporarily, when we prepare for the war and march into the battle in our own strength. Crossing the line into self-dependence spells spiritual disaster.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you ever “march into battle” in your own strength?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, help me to trust You as the Divine Warrior even as I obey You.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Numbers 33-36
Two-year plan: Job 22, Acts 22:22-23:11
MEMORIZATION VERSE (Feb 16-28):
“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chron 20:12)
*first published in 2016