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  MOSES POINTING TO THE LORD FOR BATTLE
  by Bob Hoekstra
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Summary: Moses' example of trusting in God's sufficiency reminds us to
look to the Lord for hope and guidance in our battles, trusting in His
presence and power to fight for us.

Topics: "Faith In God", "Spiritual Warfare"
Scripture References: Deuteronomy 9:5, Deuteronomy 20:3, 2 Chronicles 20:17, Psalm 18:35, Psalm 33:20, Isaiah 31:1

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DESCRIPTION
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Bob Hoekstra preaches on the importance of relying on the sufficiency of
God in the midst of battles, using Moses as an example who pointed
Israel to the Lord for battle. Despite facing inevitable battles in the
Promised Land, Moses reminded the people not to be afraid or rely on
worldly resources, but to trust in the Lord who fights for His people
against their enemies to save them.

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CONTENT
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Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies;
do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be
terrified because of them; for the LORD your God is He who goes with
you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. (Deuteronomy
20:3-4)

Moses is another example of those who lived by grace in the Old
Testament. He knew the necessity of relying upon the sufficiency of God,
instead of upon the inadequate resources of man. One illustration of
this is seen when he pointed Israel to the Lord for battle.

When the children of Israel would enter into the Promised Land,
innumerable battles would lie before them. These battles were
inevitable, since godless nations had entrenched themselves in the land:
"because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God
drives them out from before you" (Deuteronomy 9:5). Thus, the history of
Israel documents one battle after another.

Moses announced the truth that the people of the Lord need to hear as
the battle draws near. "Today you are on the verge of battle with your
enemies; do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not
tremble or be terrified because of them." So often, when the warfare
appears, the foe seems invincible. "When you go out to battle against
your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than
you" (Deuteronomy 20:1). The natural temptation is to "faint . . . be
afraid . . . tremble or be terrified." Another temptation is to try to
match the enemy horse for horse and chariot for chariot. The scriptures
warn of the futility of turning to worldly resources. "Woe to those who
go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots
because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but
who do not look to the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 31:1).

Moses knew that God's people need a reminder that the Lord wants to be
our hope. When we must go into the battles of life, the Lord accompanies
us. "For the LORD your God is He who goes with you." He is with us not
only to comfort us, but also to battle on our behalf: "to fight for you
against your enemies, to save you." The Lord can fight for His people in
an unlimited variety of ways. He can change the hearts of those who
oppose us. He can bring their plans to naught. He can trap them in their
own evil plans. He can cause our enemies to turn and devour one another.
He can effectively save us in any manner that He chooses.

O Lord, my defender, I face many battles that leave me intimidated and
fearful. My hope is often placed in my own worldly strategies or the
help that man can offer. Lord, I look to You afresh to fight for me to
rescue me any way You chose, for Your glory and honor, Amen.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/bob-hoekstra/moses-pointing-to-the-lord-for-battle/
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