Hear, O Israel! You are about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations larger and mightier than you, with great fortified cities. Know therefore today that the LORD your God is the one going before you as a devouring fire; He will defeat them and subdue them before you.
Moses is about to give the Israelites credit for their victory. Don't. The credit belongs to God. You didn't win this because you're mighty. God won it.
I'm a high achiever. I've built a successful career. I'm proud of my accomplishments. But I'm also learning to notice how much of it was luck, timing, other people's help, God's provision.
The Israelites had to be told: don't attribute your victory to yourselves. Because the temptation would be enormous. They're about to win significant military victories. The natural thing is to think: we're strong, we're capable, we did this.
But Moses is clear: God did this. You're going to struggle with ingratitude because you'll see your own effort and forget to see God's power. You'll be tempted to pride. So I'm telling you now: remember that the victory belongs to God.
I'm trying to do the same thing in my own reflection. When something goes well, I'm trying to pause and ask: what did God do here? What did luck provide? What did other people contribute? What was actually my effort? Usually when I'm honest, my actual contribution is smaller than my pride wants to claim.
Moses is giving the people a spiritual practice: don't attribute victory to yourself. That practice is harder than it sounds, but it's what saves you from the corruption that comes with pride.
No comments yet. Be the first.