“To me belongs vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.” (Deuteronomy 32:35)
Deuteronomy 32 recounts Israel’s early journey, a vivid tapestry of God’s unfailing love and covenant faithfulness to His chosen people. Selected as His treasured possession, Israel witnessed His miraculous acts including their freedom from Egypt’s bondage, manna from heaven, water from a rock, and guidance by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.
These were not only displays of divine power, they were also tender expressions of God’s heart toward His people, revealing His desire for an intimate relationship with His children. Despite their many rebellions, God’s patience repeatedly shone through, sending prophets to call them back to trust and obedience. Israel’s story mirrors His desire for each believer, for He continues to offer forgiveness and restoration through Christ.
God’s faithfulness contrasts sharply with the fate of the unrepentant, whose “foot shall slide” under divine judgment (Deut. 32:35). Yet, for His people, He provides sure footing through faith. Psalms 26:1 and 37:31 affirm that those who trust in God stand firm and are shielded from falling.
Jonathan Edwards noted, “God’s ultimate desire is not to punish us but to bring His children back to Him.”[1] And because of Christ’s sacrifice, we continue to find refuge in God’s unchanging love and mercy.
Contemplations:
- Clinging to Your Word. Lord, I know You try my faith. You send trouble my way to see that I cling to Your Word, that I embrace it until the blessing comes. Hold me fast in Your strong arms, especially in the middle of these storms, to insure that I do not slip and fall. Your Word is my anchor, and I need Your strength to hold fast.
- Trusting in trials. Many times I pray for promised blessing, and though You love me, Lord, sometimes it seems You fail to take notice of my need. You often humble me into the dust. Still help me find Your will in Your silence and see Your grace in Your rebukes. In short, keep me from slipping and sliding in such times and instead, help me demonstrate a deeper faith and trust in You.
- Faith under pressure. Job testifies, “Though he slay me, yet I will trust in him” (Job 13:15). Such great faith supports us under the greatest pressures. For when You seem to deal with us like an enemy, even then we are to trust You implicitly as a friend. Grant me Job’s resolve to trust You, Lord, no matter the trial.
- Waiting in judgment. You try us often, to see whether we will cling to You when You appear to disregard our cries. It is not said, “In the way of thy mercies,” but rather, “In the way of thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy Name, and to the remembrance of thee” (Isa. 26:8). Help me wait on You with steadfast faith, even in times of Your judgment.
Prayer (Supplication)
O faithful and merciful God, You are the rock of my salvation, whose love endures forever. Your mighty acts like freeing Israel from Egyptian bondage, feeding them with manna and guiding them with fire in the wilderness all reveal Your heart’s desire for intimacy with us. I worship You for Your unchanging faithfulness that offers us forgiveness through Christ. Your promise in Psalm 37:31 secures my footing, and I stand in awe of Your grace that keeps me from falling.
And yet I confess that my faith often falters in trials. I have doubted Your care when answers seemed delayed. My heart has wavered, seeking comfort elsewhere instead of trusting Your providence. Forgive me for these sins, for lacking Job’s resolve to trust You even when You seem distant.
Lord, I plead for grace to stand firm on Your promises. Hold me fast in trials, keeping my foot from sliding. Help me cling to Your Word, finding Your will in silence and grace in rebukes. Grant me Job’s faith to trust You as my friend, even under pressure (Job 13:15). Let me wait on You in judgments, and keep my soul fixed on You. Fill me with Your Spirit that I may continue in obedience and hold me steadfast in Christ’s mercy until I reach Your eternal rest.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further References for Deuteronomy 32:35:
Rom. 12:19; Heb. 10:30; Psalm 94:1; Nahum 1:2.
[1] Jonathan Edwards, Sermons and Discourses, 1720–1723, ed. Wilson H. Kimnach and Harry S. Stout, vol. 10, The Works of Jonathan Edwards (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 1992), 144–145.
