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stubbornly faithful followers

Deuteronomy 29:7-9 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 29:7 When you reached this place, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan came out against us in battle, but we defeated them.
Deuteronomy 29:8 We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh.
Deuteronomy 29:9 Therefore, watch the words of this covenant and follow them, so that you will succeed in everything you do.

stubbornly faithful followers

The early defeat of Sihon and Og was one of the signs the Lord gave the Israelites. They had intended to move through those two territories without aggression. But they were attacked, and their victory over these two kings gave them a large territory east of the Jordon river. Two and one half tribes settled in these lands.

Moses uses this story as a sign that the Israelites could be successful in everything they do. But it was not a blanket promise, covering all contingencies. It was not a guarantee that they would walk unhindered into the promised land. There would be battles. The Israelites also had to watch the words of the covenant and be careful to follow them. If they lost their faithfulness, they would also lose battles. They needed to be stubbornly faithful followers.

Lord, we know you are with us as we face our life’s battles. Make us stubbornly faithful followers of Christ so that we stay with you.