It had been a long week, and exhaustion was getting the better of me. The morning had barely begun and already my head was filled with thoughts like, Can't the kids let me sleep in just one day? I've been making breakfast all week, I just don't want to do it again... My job never ends, Lord! When am I gonna get to relax?
As I faced yet another day of masses of laundry, misadventures to the grocery store, meals to make, messes to clean, and meltdowns to manage I grew increasingly irritable and impatient. I deserve a little respite, I thought, for everything I do around here. In pride I was relying on what I could do to get me through, my 'righteousness' to earn me some reward.
As Israel looked ahead to their own battles, Moses repeatedly reminded them why the Lord brought them to the Promised Land. It was not because of their righteousness or integrity that they would conquer and possess the land, but on account of the wickedness of the Canaanite nations and the promise God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deut. 9:4–5). God's righteousness and God's integrity were the reason—the 'why' behind the 'what'.
Forgetting our why and over-emphasizing what we do is an expressway to pride. And pride can make us feel others, even God, owe us something. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul wrote these words, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast" (Eph. 2:8–9, emphasis added). When facing the battles ahead, victory is possible not because of what we can do, but because of who God is.
The Israelites were about to achieve an unimaginable victory, dispossessing nations "greater and stronger" than themselves, nations with large, fortified cities and fierce, powerful warriors (Deut. 9:1–2). The battle ahead seemed impossible, but through God's power and promise victory was certain! Moses encouraged Israel, "But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; He will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the Lord has promised you" (Deut. 9:3).
Sometimes the battles ahead are too big for us. Certain challenges can only be met by trusting in the Lord. Jesus didn't sugarcoat the truth of struggle and sacrifice in the life of His followers (Matt. 16:24), but He didn't downplay their victory either (Jn. 16:33). Scripture says this: We can do nothing apart from Him (Jn. 15:5), and everything through Him (Phil. 4:13)! When facing the battles ahead, we hold both the impossibility and certainty of victory in tandem.
Rather than hyping up the Israelites with self confidence for the battles ahead, Moses reminded these "stiff-necked" people of the failures behind. "Remember this and never forget how you provoked the Lord your God to anger in the desert. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the Lord" (Deut. 9:7). Moses' purpose in recalling the past was not to discourage the Israelites, but to help them recognize their weaknesses and place their trust in the Lord.
Romans 12:3 says, "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment..." Seeing the truth about ourselves and recognizing our sinful tendencies is a safeguard against pride. It is only when we forfeit all confidence in the flesh (Eph. 3:3) that we can begin to find confidence in God! When facing the battles ahead, we find confidence for victory not in ourselves, but in God.
Even the defeats in the desert God used for good—to refine Moses' heart for the people and allow him to partner with the Lord in prayer. "I prayed to the Lord and said, 'O Sovereign Lord, do not destroy Your people, Your own inheritance that You redeemed by Your great power and brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Overlook the stubbornness of this people... Otherwise, the country from which You brought us will say, "Because the Lord was not able...and because He hated them, He brought them out to put them to death in the desert"'" (Deut. 9:26–28).
Moses prayed in accordance with God's faithfulness, God's glory, and God's sovereignty. It was God who brought them out of Egypt and through the desert; God whose reputation would be upheld; and God who chose the Israelites for His own! The most powerful prayers we can pray are consistent with God's character as revealed to us in His Word. When facing the battles ahead, we speed victory through the power of God-centered prayer.
We will face many battles with sin, suffering, and sorrow. But in all these things we are victorious--more than conquerors!—through Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:37). It is He who calls us according to His purpose, justifies us freely by His grace, and glorifies us through the sanctifying work of His Spirit. We are His people, His inheritance--not because of what we've done, but because of who He is!
Lord, help me to remember the ‘why’ behind what I’m doing. Whether it’s marriage, parenting, career, or ministry, may I always have Your righteousness, Your integrity, and Your grace in mind. Help me to face impossible battles through Your promise of victory! Fill me with God-confidence as I recognize my weaknesses and put my trust in You. Use my defeats for good—the refining of my heart and the invitation to partner with You in my sanctification. Show me how to powerfully pray Your Word, to appeal to Your character and ask in line with Your will, rather than simply offering up wishful thinking. See me through my battles, O God, not because of who I am, but because of who You are! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Reflection Questions
- In what area of life do you tend to forget your ‘why’ the most? How can you re-center your thinking and your efforts on Christ in difficult moments?
- What battles ahead seem impossible? Will you pray Romans 8:37 over them right now?
- Is there any ‘confidence in the flesh’ you need to lay down in exchange for God-confidence? What would that look like practically?
- How might your prayer life change if you determined to pray God’s Word as you read it?