Things are often different than they appear. A cursory examination of things can easily lead to a wrong conclusion. And, that wrong conclusion can completely overshadow the real truth. Case in point:
"Do not say in your heart when the LORD your God has driven them out before you, 'Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land,' but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is dispossessing them before you. It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." (Deuteronomy 9.4-5)
In God's grace and provision, He chose Abraham and his descendants to be recipients of His special blessings. In His grand scheme, He arranged to provide those blessings through the wickedness of godless people. In other words, His judgment on wicked people became the means for Abraham's descendants to inherit the promised land - modern-day Israel. Note: it was not the righteousness of Abraham's descendants that merited earning the land, but the wickedness of its inhabitants that prepared the way for them to receive it through grace.
The real lesson here is that God is faithful and good, and His people are not. But, those whom He covenants with He deals with in grace and mercy. As such, we stand in high place places and enjoy abundant blessings. But, we dare never think that our righteousness earns that favor.
Today's take-away is this: marvel at His abundant grace. Through His Son, He shows incredible favor to each of us. Savor this privilege. Recognize that even His judgements on the wicked are means for our blessing, as they were with Israel.
Rejoice in His grace, and live in such a way as to administer it to those who are responsive.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"Do not say in your heart when the LORD your God has driven them out before you, 'Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land,' but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is dispossessing them before you. It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God is driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." (Deuteronomy 9.4-5)
In God's grace and provision, He chose Abraham and his descendants to be recipients of His special blessings. In His grand scheme, He arranged to provide those blessings through the wickedness of godless people. In other words, His judgment on wicked people became the means for Abraham's descendants to inherit the promised land - modern-day Israel. Note: it was not the righteousness of Abraham's descendants that merited earning the land, but the wickedness of its inhabitants that prepared the way for them to receive it through grace.
The real lesson here is that God is faithful and good, and His people are not. But, those whom He covenants with He deals with in grace and mercy. As such, we stand in high place places and enjoy abundant blessings. But, we dare never think that our righteousness earns that favor.
Today's take-away is this: marvel at His abundant grace. Through His Son, He shows incredible favor to each of us. Savor this privilege. Recognize that even His judgements on the wicked are means for our blessing, as they were with Israel.
Rejoice in His grace, and live in such a way as to administer it to those who are responsive.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:12 AM
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