Israel is not standing still! They are on the move! Forty years of wandering, dying, and remolding are ending. Though they struggle with temptations like the previous generation, their composure differs. Israel is on the move, moving on to a new chapter in their history! Standing tall in the reading today is the theme of victory!
With new levels come new devils! Yes, Israel is on the move, but so are Israel’s enemies. Israel is attacked three times in these two chapters. In the first battle, the enemy heard of Israel’s progress and attacked. In the second battle, Israel requested to pass through Amorite territory. The Amorites attacked. In the third battle, seeing the progress of Israel, the king of Bashan attacked. Three times, the enemy initiated the struggle, but God gave victory! Guess where Israel is camped now? They are just east of the Jordan River, across from Jericho!
During these times of attack, God told Israel something amazing!
The LORD said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you, along with all his people and his land….” (Numbers 21:34, NLT)
Israel’s biggest threat was fear, not the enemy. Wow!
In our Christian walk with God, we, like Israel, have an enemy. When we are on the move with God, we, too, can expect opposition. Our enemy, however, is not flesh and blood. Our enemy may oppose us through people, but people are not the enemy.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)
Our enemy is not greater than God! Because of this, victory should stand tall in our lives! Believer, be not afraid! I like how the Psalmist put it into words for the rest of us…
The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. (Psalm 27:1–3, NLT)
Thanks for joining me in my adventure to read the Bible chronologically! Today’s post comes from Numbers 21-22. Tomorrow, I will be reading Numbers 23-25.