Deuteronomy 8:18
“But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
We greatly need God’s power. All of us desire to be more than we are. Not just to go to a greater level of achievement or character, but to get away from darker struggles.
In the end of Romans 7, Paul describes this. In summary, he says that we want to go God’s way, but there’s a darker side to us that opposes it. He concludes by saying in verse 25, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Paul’s exclamation mark speaks volumes. He is sharing his frustrations. He knows the difficulty. The whole human race cries out in desperation (7:24), “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” We try and try and still fall short. Then comes the exclamation mark.
It’s like groping in the dark for an exit. All of us are blind and have wearied ourselves to find an exit. When we reach out to God, He grabs out hand and leads us to the light. It’s more that not knowing how to do it. We weren’t able to. We don’t have the power.
Today’s passage says that “it is He who is giving you power”. I’ve been focusing on the power to get out of sin. His power also allows us to excel in goals, character and work. It specifically says power to make wealth. That will be a focus of part II.
These struggles keep us close to Him. Most of us never are rid of them. They are an ever present reminder that we need Him. We naturally want to be a straying sheep. However, our sin often drives us back to Him for rescue.
Lord, thank You for Your delivering power. Keep us close to You.