“Do not say in your heart, after the LORD your God has thrust them out before you, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the LORD has brought me in to possess this land,’ whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is driving them out before you. Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
(Deut. 9:4-5)
The Israelites were lined up along the shore of the Jordan River, arming themselves, preparing to cross and take over the promised land. They had waited long for this day and didn’t want to wait much longer to claim the territory God had promised them. But before they could cross, Moses talked to them, reminding them of all that God had done for their parents and how their parents had failed God and been punished. He then warned them not to be proud and think that they were going to be able to run into the land and take it over because God was blessing them for their goodness. Yes, God had chosen Israel as His people. No, He had not chosen them because of any inherent righteousness they had.
Israel was merely an instrument in God’s hands, fulfilling His sovereign plan on the earth. He would use them to destroy the heathen nations that had disobeyed Him. What did God command Israel to do?
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?
(Deut. 10:12-13)
It’s time for a reality check when we think that our success in life results from our own righteousness and abilities. When something bad happens, we get discouraged and try to figure out what we did wrong in order to get back up and make our lives better and stronger. But if we trust in God’s sovereign plan and realize that He is using us as tools to fulfill His broader plan and that we are not merely living our own plan, we can realize that ups and downs in life are all part of His purpose. He just calls us to fear Him, obey Him, and love Him. Sound simple? It is! But unfortunately our prideful nature gets in the way too often.
