January 4, 2016
Deuteronomy 33:25-27 (Modern King James Version)
(All scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.)
We are Facing The Future whether we want to or not! But we can either face it in fear and trepidation or in faith and confidence in the God of creation and salvation! I choose the latter! And one Scripture that can bolster such confidence is Deuteronomy 33:25 through 27:
Your shoes shall be iron and bronze. And as your days, so shall your
strength be. There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the
heavens to your help, and in His majesty on the clouds. The eternal
God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And He
shall throw the enemy out from before you, and shall say, Destroy!
We saw in verse 25 that with shoes of iron and bronze, the Israelites could tread through the dangers of the Sinai desert because God was taking care of all their needs (see Deuteronomy 29:5). And God offers that abundant provision for His children today (see Matthew 6:31, 32; Philippians 4:19) – so they can be Facing The Future with faith and trust no matter where they tread!
In verse 26 the Lord called Israel Jeshurun – an endearing name meaning upright. But because of their rebellious attitude and actions, they could only be called upright because God was not counting their sins against them. We also are upright – but only when by faith we put ourselves under the blood of Jesus Christ. When we accept Him as our Savior, we are washed clean from the stain of sin, and we are clothed with His own righteousness! (See Isaiah 1:18; 61:10; II Corinthians 5:21; I John 1:7). But let’s go on…
• …Deuteronomy 33:27 – “The eternal God is your refuge….” David expanded on this idea of refuge in Psalm 62:5 through 8:
My soul, wait silently for God along, for my expectation is from Him. He
only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my re-
fuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart
before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
And consider the seven positive things to which David compares God – my expectation, my rock, my salvation, my defense, my glory, my strength, my refuge. By the way, seven is seen as the perfect number in Scripture. Is the Lord these seven things to you? He can be! And if He is, why be afraid when Facing The Future?
Selah at the very end of the passage above from Psalm 62. It is seen as an instructional term used in the early Hebrew music of worship, and it means rest. But it is fitting at the end of this Psalm 62 Scripture. If these seven things characterize your walk of faith with the Lord Jesus Christ, you will surely have rest in your life! After all, Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
• …Deuteronomy 33:27 – “…and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Allstate Corporation is the second largest personal lines insurer in the United States. Its famous logo is a pair of cupped hands with the message, “You’re in good hands with Allstate” – still in use in various forms after 65 years! I have always pictured that image of cupped hands when I think about Deuteronomy 33:27!
The arms and hands of God are always beneath us, above us, surrounding us, protecting us – His children! Jesus said in John 10:27 through 30 (see also Exodus 33:22; Nehemiah 1:10; 2:18; Psalm 16:11; 18:35; 31:15; 89:13; 145:16; I Peter 5:6):
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I
give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone
snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is
greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s
hand. I and My Father are one.
If an insurance company can offer us protection and peace of mind, surely God can do much more! I would rather be in the hands of my God than anywhere else! Wouldn’t you?