“Then Moses went and spoke…to all Israel. ‘I am one hundred and twenty years old today…the LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan.’ The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you.’ De 31:1, 3. ‘Then the LORD spoke to Moses… ‘Go up this mountain…you shall see the land before you, though you shall not go there.’” De 32:48-52.
Joshua had grown up watching the leadership of Moses and had served him well as friend, student and servant. Moses had dealt with the children of Israel for 40 years. At one point he got so angry at them he disobeyed God and his pride cost him entry into the Promised Land. Even back then, some of God’s most devoted servants didn’t get the desire of their heart. God had used Moses miraculously and Moses had served God relentlessly. But on this day…his birthday…he not only accepted God’s will for his life but embraced who God chose to carry the people into the land He was giving them. In one of the most beautiful acts of surrender and most eloquent speeches in the Bible Moses presented his blessing to the next leader who God raised up. But God in His rich love for Moses encouraged him to go up the mountain and get a glimpse of the land that Moses led the nation to. He was able to see the end results of 40 years of service, sacrifice and obedience. Very soon after that the Lord gathered Moses into His arms and carried Him to heaven…the real Promised Land. No doubt Joshua felt unworthy, unprepared, unequipped and most certainly fearful to carry out God's plan. But Moses left Joshua with the same promise that the Bible leaves us with… ‘Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid…for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.’ De 31:6.
Who needs to hear that verse this morning? Is it the person who is grieving for the loved one who God whisked home? Is it the woman who is waiting on the desire of her heart to be fulfilled with no evidence in sight? Is it the man who has been called to another job and doesn’t feel equipped? Is it the person who must lay down their dream and pick up God’s will? Whether we are walking in Moses’ sandals realizing that the outcome is not what we wanted, or like Joshua who faced a new challenge… a new land…a new calling, we all possess the beautiful promises of Deuteronomy. God is the only One who truly goes with us, beside us and in front of us. Through His power we can walk in strength and courage no matter what we face. Through His confidence we can denounce our fears and anxieties. Through His promise we can trust that we will never walk alone or be abandoned.
He is our portion and our anchor…always enough and always secure. That is our Savior and our God.
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