SUNDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 2023
TEXT:
Numbers 21:21-35
21:
Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites:
22:
“Let us pass through your country. We will not turn aside into any field or
vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway
until we have passed through your territory.”
23:
But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. He mustered his
entire army and marched out into the wilderness against Israel. When he reached
Jahaz, he fought with Israel.
24:
Israel, however, put him to the sword and took over his land from the Arnon to
the Jabbok, but only as far as the Ammonites, because their border was
fortified.
25:
Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including
Heshbon and all its surrounding settlements.
26:
Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the
former king of Moab and had taken from him all his land as far as the Arnon.
27:
That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon and let it be rebuilt; let Sihon’s
city be restored.
28:
“Fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of
Moab, the citizens of Arnon’s heights.
29:
Woe to you, Moab! You are destroyed, people of Chemosh! He has given up his
sons as fugitives and his daughters as captives to Sihon king of the Amorites.
30:
“But we have overthrown them; Heshbon’s dominion has been destroyed all the way
to Dibon. We have demolished them as far as Nophah, which extends to Medeba.”
31:
So Israel settled in the land of the Amorites.
32:
After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, the Israelites captured its surrounding
settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there.
33:
Then they turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of
Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei.
34:
The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into
your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to
Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.”
35:
So they struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army, leaving
them no survivors. And they took possession of his land.
(New
International Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
DIVINE VICTORY OVER OPPOSITION ON YOUR WAY
A
stanza of a hymn goes, "When we walk with the Lord, in the light of his
word, what a glory He sheds on our way...." That is what played out in
today's reading. When God forgives our sins, broken relationships are restored
and our battle becomes His battle.
As
the Israelites continued their journey to the Promised Land, they encountered
several obstacles. Enemies did not allow them pass through their territories
even when they pleaded with them, "We will not turn aside into any field
or vineyard, or drink water from any well.." (verses 21 and 22).
On
our way to success or divine destinations, many people will be unhappy about
God's favour upon our lives and create obstacles for us. But if we keep our
relationship with Him spotless, victory will surely be ours. Read verses 32 to
35 and note that the victory of yesterday doesn't remove today's opposition but
gives us the assurance that the same God is still there for us.
He
told Moses: "Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to
you..." (vs.34). He is saying the same to you today. Always trust in Him
and He will give you divine victory all the way.
QUESTION:
What must you do to receive divine victory over those who oppose your journey
to your promised land?
PRAYER:
Grant me the grace, dear Lord, to walk with You in the light of Your word every
day, which is Your promise, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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