These are powerful and encouraging words. They are the words of blessing spoken by Moses to the Children of Israel. Moses, who had been their leader for forty years is about to be taken from them. It is a time of change, and they are a new generation. Theirs is the challenge of actually entering the Promised Land. A new leader, Joshua, will soon be in place, ahead of them is the river Jordan, and then they’ll be in the land that is “flowing with milk and honey”. They will face new challenges as they ‘possess’ the land and move into their inheritance. It is a time of transition.
In this chapter, Moses blesses each tribe. Verse one says “Now this is the blessing which Moses the man of God blessed the Children of Israel before his death”, then in verse 27 he closes with words of blessing and assurance that each one of us can take today for ourselves as both a blessing and a promise.
So; they are on their way. Battles and trials are ahead of them. They will see great victories and they will also make mistakes because after all, they are human beings. However, they have a great advantage and a unique privilege; they are ‘blessed’ human beings! They have the protection and support of a great and mighty God. They are, as our verse says, upheld by “The Everlasting Arms”. As they move forward in faith and obedience to His Word, the same mighty overshadowing, delivering power that brought their forefathers out of slavery will still care for them.
This same ‘blessing’ is ours today in Christ. Through the challenges and changes of life we are supported and cared for by the same “Eternal God” who is our “refuge” and we too are upheld daily by those “Everlasting Arms”. Praise Him, for “He is our refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble” Psalm 46. The journey we are on is His journey too. Let’s move on together with Him, blessed, sheltered, and upheld by His Everlasting Arms. “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” – Isaiah 41 v13.
“What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace, with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms”
Be blessed this week with both the Blessing and the Promise.
Eddie.