Israel has its work cut out for it! Ahead are some powerful nations, nations much larger than they. God instructs small Israel to conquer these big nations! God’s patience with these nations has expired, and now His judgment is upon them for their sin. Israel is to utterly destroy them, erasing their memory and gods from the land. Notice the question God anticipates from Israel.
Perhaps you will think to yourselves, ‘How can we ever conquer these nations that are so much more powerful than we are?’ (Deuteronomy 7:17, NLT)
It’s an honest question! Without God, this would certainly be the question. But with God, it’s not even a question! Notice, God answers the question anyway! He starts by saying He is great and awesome!
“No, do not be afraid of those nations, for the LORD your God is among you, and he is a great and awesome God. (Deuteronomy 7:21, NLT)
God is greater than these nations and more awesome in power! This God is among you! So, how does God express all of the greatness, power, and awesomeness? It is all wrapped up in the phrase, “…little by little.”
The Lord your God will drive those nations out ahead of you little by little. You will not clear them away all at once, otherwise the wild animals would multiply too quickly for you. But the Lord your God will hand them over to you. He will throw them into complete confusion until they are destroyed. He will put their kings in your power, and you will erase their names from the face of the earth. No one will be able to stand against you, and you will destroy them all. (Deuteronomy 7:22–24, NLT)
Here is the point that stood out to me this morning. Often, I look for God in the “big things.” I look for His big movements, somehow thinking that’s the power and awesomeness of God. Sometimes that happens, but it is not the whole picture of God! All of God is wrapped up in the small moments, the “little by little” of life, too! One day at a time! One sale at a time! One conversation at a time! One step at a time! One phone call at a time! One prayer at a time! I’ve noticed that I am less overwhelmed when it is one at a time!
Isn’t it comforting to know that all of God is with us in the “little by little”? After all, that is the majority of life! So, is there a seeming mountain in front of you that must be moved? What do you have, just a shovel? No! You have the awesome greatness and power of God and a shovel. Let God show you what He can do with your shovel, one shovelful at a time!
Today’s chronological reading: Deuteronomy 5-7
This is now a morning must read! Just the words I need to hear, which just goes to show the power of God’s Holy word! Thank you for being so faithful to study and share it.