Deuteronomy 33:6-25 Niv

NO man can possibly tell what is before him: but our God knoweth, and He has promised His people strength proportioned to their trials. We should not be anxious, for with the trial comes the strength. Our troubles are very generally to be numbered amongst our mercies. Temporal prosperity without a special blessing from God, will prove to be a curse; and it always brings a solemn responsibility with it. We have always found our God faithful; He always has given strength according to the day;...

"And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out." Deuteronomy 33:18

The blessings of the tribes are ours; for we are the true Israel who worship God in the spirit and have no confidence in the flesh. Zebulun is to rejoice because Jehovah will bless his "going out"; we also see a promise for ourselves lying latent in this benediction. When we go out we will look out for occasions of joy.

We go out to travel, and...

"Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be." Deuteronomy 33:25

Here are two things provided for the pilgrim: shoes and strength.

As for the shoes: they are very needful for traveling along rough ways and for trampling upon deadly foes. We shall not go barefoot — this would not be suitable for princes of the blood royal. Our shoes shall not be at all of the common sort, for they shall have...

"And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12

Yes, there is no safety like that which comes of dwelling near to God. For His best beloved the LORD can find no surer or safer place. O LORD, let me always abide under Thy shadow, close to Thy wounded side. Nearer and nearer would I come to...

"And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath." Deuteronomy 33:13

We may be rich in such things as Joseph obtained, and we may have them in a higher sense. Oh, for "the precious things of heaven"!

Power with God and the manifestation of power from God are most precious. We would enjoy the peace of God, the joy of the LORD, the...

God promises to give His people strength according to their needs at any particular time. He does not promise it in advance of the need, but when the crisis comes, the grace is there to meet it.

Perhaps you are called to go through a patch of sickness and suffering. If you knew in advance how great the testing would be, you would say, "I know I could never bear it." But all the divine support comes with the testing, to your amazement and everyone else's.

We live in fear of the...

This probably means that time, instead of diminishing the strength and crippling the energies of the people of God, shall be commissioned to convey unto them increase of spiritual strength, and to render them day by day, month by month, year by year, more vigorous and more victorious in the conflict with sin, more energetic in faith, more sublime in patience and fortitude, more meek and lowly of heart, more fervent in admiration of Christ, more self-denying and devoted in his service, more...

Who is this beloved of the Lord? It is one who believes in the love that God has toward him. We have not to bring about the love of God towards us; but to recognize that love. Peter had a great idea of his own love to Christ; " though all men forsake thee, yet will I not forsake thee;" but John was content to speak of himself as the beloved of the Lord. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us. His love to us is as our faith in his love, and in our own unworthiness. "...

When they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. § Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God! § He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases...

Underneath are the everlasting arms. § When [Peter] saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” § The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.The beloved of the Lord shall dwell...