New Year’s Eve

SERMON

Text: Deuteronomy 33:26-27

“There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, ‘Destroy!’”

In Christ Jesus, our beloved Savior to whom we can turn and in whom we can trust, dear fellow redeemed:

The book of Deuteronomy is a wonderful book to which to turn as we end one year and prepare to enter another. It was written by Moses as the children of Israel were ending one phase of their history—the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness under his leadership, and as they were about to enter a new phase of their history—the conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. God told Moses that he would not be permitted to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land, for he had sinned at the Waters of Meribah. He had, however, led them to the very edge of that Promised Land, for they lay camped on the east side of the Jordan River just to the north of the Dead Sea across from the walled city of Jericho. Moses was soon to die. He, consequently, wrote this book as a series of farewell addresses, in which he admonished the children of Israel to be faithful to their God, and in which he encouraged the children of Israel with examples of God’s faithfulness to them!

Our text, which comes at the very end of the book just prior to its record of Moses’ death, is one of those encouragements. While the children of Israel knew that God would be faithful to His promise and give them the Promised Land, there were questions in their minds regarding how this was to be done. After all, wars of conquest are never easy and there are always casualties in such wars. While they as a people had a bright future, not all of them would survive to enjoy it. How should they approach this new phase in their history? What should be their attitude? These were the questions Moses sought to answer in our text. In so doing he reveals to us the approach and the attitude we ought have as we look to a future we know will be blessed by the Lord, but which from our vantage point still holds many questions. Moses assured the children of Israel even as he assures us—THERE IS NO ONE LIKE OUR GOD!

I.

For, first of all, He helps us! Moses says, “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, Who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds.” Who in the world is “Jeshurun”? Actually, we cannot be certain, but Bible scholars suggest that it is probably a tender and loving name given to Israel as a special term of endearment. If that is the case, we could personalize Moses’ words to apply to ourselves as God’s beloved children. We might say, “There is no one like the God of beloved Immanuel.” Or, were you to individualize it, one could legitimately say, “There is no one like the God of the Olmansons, or the Heinzes, or the Wolles.”

What is truly key, however, is to understand the picture Moses is painting of a God Who is actively searching to find ways to help us in the midst of our need! Our God is not a God far off, Who does not care about us, Who is unaware of us or our needs, and Who has no intention of helping us! Not at all! He is pictured criss-crossing the heavens with His eyes open and His hands prepared. This is a truth that is so important for us to remember, because at times when we are confronted by the visual realities of this life, we can forget. King Asa did confronted by the armies of Israel. Instead of turning to and depending upon God, he set up a treaty with the Syrians. God sent Hanani, His seer, to remind Asa, “The eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

What a comfort this is to any of us as individuals who are facing special challenges at the present time! What a comfort this is to all of us as a congregation as we plan the work of the upcoming year with a possible sizable deficit in our budget. THERE IS NO ONE LIKE OUR GOD! He will help us! We can depend upon Him for guidance, for deliverance, for support as we make decisions and carry out programs for our individual and corporate lives.

II.

Yes, THERE IS NO ONE LIKE OUR GOD, for He, secondly, is our refuge! Moses goes on, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” A “refuge” is a place we can go and feel absolutely secure. It is a place where we are safe and completely at peace. Our God is our refuge. He calls to us; He urges us—“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Though His apostle Paul admonishes us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Is it not wonderful to consider the fact that the most powerful force in the entire universe has declared Himself to be for us and invites us so to enjoy His protective care?!

Notice as well Moses’ reference to the everlasting arms. When children are frightened and insecure to whom do they turn? To what do they run? Do they not turn to their parents and run into their arms. The warm embrace of parental arms means safety and security. While I am being held by my father or my mother, all fear seems to evaporate. Whether such a sense of security is justified at all times in this world is surely debatable, but such security certainly lies in the arms of our Lord God. Jesus promises us, “My sheep hear My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29).

So, are you facing a life-threatening physical danger? Turn to your refuge in prayer and commit the matter to Him Who has you securely in His hands! Are you facing severe financial shortfalls? Bring the situation to God in prayer. He cares about you. He will direct you. He will keep you safe and help you fulfill everything He has called you to do! Remember, THERE IS NO ONE LIKE OUR GOD! He is our refuge! Let us turn to Him, depend upon Him, follow Him, and enjoy His every blessing!

III.

Finally, remember that THERE IS NO ONE LIKE OUR GOD, for He will defeat our enemies! Moses assured the children of Israel, “He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, ‘Destroy!’” Such language sounds threatening and harsh, yet remember the context in which it is given and you will appreciate its sentiment. The children of Israel were preparing to enter the Promised Land. They were going to be facing walled cities, some of which were inhabited by fierce warriors with great physical size and strength. It was comforting for them to know that God would be active in “thrusting” those people out and “destroying” their forces and fortresses.

Even so, it is comforting for us to know that our God will defeat our enemies in the future days and years to come. We can talk about those physical enemies that can and do confront us and they can take a myriad of forms from diseases to weather disasters to deviants on the streets. But they can also and do also take the form of spiritual enemies—our own sinful flesh, which desires to lead us astray, or Satan, who desires to destroy our faith and harm our soul! The Scriptures assure us that God can and will defeat our every enemy up to and including death itself. It is comforting, is it not, to realize that Satan is bound—his powers are limited, and that the worst thing he can throw our way, death, has been overcome through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Recently, as I was discussing medical options with one of our members suffering from a heart condition, we discussed this very point. We need not fear death, for it has been overcome by Jesus. If our God desires to keep us in this world to further His kingdom work, He will do so utilizing any of a number of procedures, which will enhance our lives. But, should God decide that our time here in this world has ended, death becomes but the door through which we enter eternal bliss and glory in our heavenly Father’s presence.

My dear friends, as we conclude the year 2000 and look ahead to the year 2001, may we bear in mind Moses’ words of encouragement—THERE IS NO ONE LIKE OUR GOD! He helps us! He is our refuge! He will defeat our enemies! Amen.

—Pastor Paul D. Nolting