Deuteronomy 9:6 Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.

This verse is without question the thrust of this whole section of Deuteronomy, and it is a theme that is repeated throughout the book. It is actually a statement of grace. God is pointing out to the people through Moses that they are being blessed because of God’s sovereign choice, not because they deserved it. This is something everyone on earth would do well to keep in mind. Jesus was sharply pointed when He dealt with the issue in Luke 13:1-5. His point there was that everyone needs to repent, because the sins of mankind have the whole race headed for destruction. We forget that to our peril! We are very prone to think that when good things happen to us that we somehow deserve them, and as a result we fail to be properly grateful for them. That certainly happened repeatedly throughout the Old Testament, and God kept sending prophets to call the people to repentance. New Testament writers certainly didn’t neglect this theme, with Paul famously saying that all have sinned, in Romans 3:23, and John saying that anyone who claims not to have sinned is calling God a liar. (1 John 1:10) God delights to bless us, but we must remember that it is His grace, and not think we deserve it.

This certainly applies to me, as it does to everyone. I was 23 years old when the Lord tapped me on the shoulder and, when I turned, held a mirror so I could get a glimpse of my soul. I knew then that I deserved nothing good from God, and that everything is grace. It has been a different life since then, though certainly not a perfect one. I wish I could say I have walked in perfect obedience since then, but I am far from being able to make that claim. As a pastor, I constantly deal with people who think they deserve better than they have, and it eats them up with resentment. God is true to His Word, but we have violated His Word in more ways than we even know, so every blessing is grace. I need to keep that clearly in mind myself, and I need the help of the Holy Spirit to get it through to my hearers. When I feel overwhelmed by one thing or another – or by everything at once – I need to remember God’s grace, and that it is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Father, You know what we are in the middle of right now even better than we do. This is certainly training in resting, relaxing, and rejoicing! Help us remember that Your grace is sufficient for us now and it will be sufficient for us in whatever future awaits. Help us walk in grateful appreciation for Your blessings that are indeed overflowing, giving You all the glory for all that You want to do through us. Thank You. Praise God!