In what ways can we trust God to overcome obstacles in our lives? Setting the Scene Deuteronomy 29:7: “When you reached this place, Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan came out to fight against us, but we defeated them.” Israel is standing on the edge of the Promised Land, remembering two very real kings who tried to block their path. God literally destroyed those obstacles. That snapshot teaches timeless truths about trusting Him with whatever stands in our way today. What Deuteronomy 29:7 Teaches About God and Obstacles • God’s power is historical, not hypothetical. • Obstacles are real, but they are never bigger than His covenant promises. • Victory is credited to God: “we defeated them” only because He fought for them (cf. Deuteronomy 1:30). • Remembering past deliverance fuels present faith. Tracing the Principle Through the Rest of Scripture 1. Red Sea—Exodus 14:13-14 • “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” • Physical impossibility (sea) turned into a pathway. 2. Jordan River—Joshua 3:13-17 • Same God parts a new barrier. His methods vary, His character does not. 3. David and Goliath—1 Samuel 17:45-47 • Personal obstacles fall before a personal God: “The battle belongs to the LORD.” • “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble… The LORD of Hosts is with us.” • Trust and acknowledge Him; He makes paths straight—obstacle removal in daily living. 6. Isaiah 43:2 • “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” Presence in, through, and beyond the trial. • In Christ we are “more than conquerors.” New-covenant believers share the same undefeatable Ally. Practical Ways to Lean on the Same God Today • Recall specific times God has already come through; rehearse them aloud. • Anchor prayers in Scripture—quote His own words back to Him (e.g., Isaiah 43:2). • Obey what you already know; Israel’s victories followed steps of obedience. • Refuse self-reliance; deliberately hand the battle to God (Psalm 55:22). • Surround yourself with testimonies—fellow believers’ stories echo Deuteronomy 29:7 for our generation. Encouragement for Everyday Battles God is as literal and active now as He was against Sihon and Og. Obstacles—whether financial stress, health crises, broken relationships, or cultural pressures—must eventually yield to His sovereign plan. Remember His track record, trust His unchanging character, and watch Him turn barriers into testimonies of His greatness. |
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