Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Overcoming Your Og
Today's Verse:
Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon. ~Deuteronomy 3:1-2
One of the most amazing wonders about living in Northern California is walking through our Redwood Forests. These California Redwoods can reach a height of 50 feet at twenty years of age. Many older trees have been found to attain heights in excess of 360 feet. The tallest living Redwood is named Hyperion and has been measured at 379 feet. The enormous size of these trees causes you to behold, look up, and be overwhelmed at their size and strength. This morning, we are looking at one of the first giants mentioned on record. In fact, this giant was much bigger than the giant Goliath who most people are familiar with. This morning, we are looking at the giant named “Og.” Let us see the overcoming of Og.
We see the frustrating dilemma.
Og was of the race of giants called “Rephaim.” We are told in Deuteronomy 3:11, “Only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.” This giant man was at least 11 or 12 feet tall! The bed he slept in measured 13 feet in length and 6 feet in breadth. He could have weighed well in excess of 400-500 lbs. His name means “long neck.” Regardless of his neck length, he was a big man. He and his people stood between Moses and the journey to the land of promise. His intimidating size, strength, voice, and army sent shivers up the spines of the men of Israel. We must face the reality that there will always be giants that will stand between us and victory. They make us scared, doubtful, and want to quit. They are the dilemma we face every day.
We see the fearless declaration.
“And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.” God knew that the sight of Og sent a spirit of reluctance into the hearts of Moses and the people. Immediately, God gave Moses a powerful and fearless declaration. He said, “Fear not.” Mark it down: the first thing God will always tell us when we face a problem bigger than us is, “Fear not.” Then, God told him that He would give Moses the victory over Og. I can’t think of a promise or assurance more powerful than those two things. God was saying, “Don’t sweat it. I will give you the victory. This giant is not going to stand in your way.”
We see the fated defeat.
“So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining. And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.” Just as God promised, Moses beat Og, his people, and took their cities from them. Notice, “the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also.” Moses beat this giant on his own turf. This giant and his people were no match for Moses and Israel. Israel suffered no casualties. God gave the victory to Moses.
We see the faith dynamic.
What does this teach us? Moses and Israel had to have faith in God’s promise, power, and performance. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4). Victorious faith is accomplished by facing and taking on the giants that stand between us and what God wants us to do. God never fails to do what He says He will do. Our part is to have undaunting faith.
Yes, you can overcome your Og! Whatever your Og may be, have faith in God’s power to take him down.
Have a faith-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Luke 23-24
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