February 23, 2026 - Deuteronomy 7-9

I just get so encouraged when I read through all this history of God’s dealings with Israel.  Moses says to Israel:  “He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. . . . You shall be blessed above all peoples” (7:13,14).  And, if they say, “These nations are greater than I.  How can I dispossess them?” (7:15), Moses tells them they should not be afraid; rather, they should remember all that the Lord has already done and know that he will continue to fight for them and bless them.  Never must Israel say:  “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth” (7:17).  Rather, Moses says:  “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day” (7:18).  In the same manner, when we think of our own deliverance, we do not claim to have delivered ourselves from sin and from death.  Rather, we testify with Paul, “when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5-6).  Oh, the sure promises of God!

The promises I sing,

Which sovereign love hath spoke;

Nor will the Eternal King

His words of grace revoke;

They stand secure and steadfast still;

Not Zion’s hill abides so sure.

The mountains melt away

When once the Judge appears,

And sun and moon decay,

That measure mortal years;

But still the same, in radiant lines

His promise shines through all the flame.

Their harmony shall sound

Through my attentive ears,

When thunders cleave the ground

And dissipate the spheres;

Midst all the shock of that dread scene,

I stand serene, thy word my rock.   --Philip Doddridge (early 18^th century)