Thought of the Day - Bishop Alfred Jackson

Deuteronomy 9:9 Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. 2 The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?”3 But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the Lord has promised you.
4 After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is going to drive them out before you. 5 It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
 
This is a powerful message that the Lord gives to Israel as they prepare to cross the Jordan River and take possession of the Promised Land.  As we read the scripture, we can take courage as we see what God says He will do for Israel.  We can also envision the enemies that we face that seem so much larger, stronger and formidable than we are; yet, we have the promise from God that He will go ahead of us like a devouring fire and destroy those enemies, devour them and drive them out from before us to accomplish what He promised in His Word for us.  And, He does all of this, not because of our righteousness but because of His Name sake and because of the wickedness of these enemies.  Be encouraged today.  The Lord is fighting for you! Rest in Him!