Thursday 24 November 2022
- Bible Book:
- Deuteronomy
'Take to heart all the words that I am giving in witness against you today; give them as a command to your children, so that they may diligently observe all the words of this law. This is no trifling matter for you, but rather your very life; through it you may live long in the land that you are crossing over the Jordan to possess.' (vs 46-47)
Background
I have been involved in voluntary youth work in the Church for over 17 years. We would frequently take the youngsters away for the weekend, sleeping on church floors and exploring the local area. Being the driver of the minibus, I often had an endless litany of "Are we nearly there yet?" This was especially likely to happen on the odd occasion I needed to go around a roundabout twice to check which exit I should take!
Moses knows that his end is very close. He has travelled with God and with the people more or less all of his life, trying to keep the people on the straight and narrow path of faith. He led the Israelites out of the wilderness (you can read about this in Exodus) and witnessed God's miraculous provision of food and water.
Moses many times must have raised that same question "Are we nearly there, Lord?" and the response was always "Wait". Now Moses is facing the end of his life and God has just told him that he will never make it into the land that the people will enjoy. He will see the Promised Land, but will be dead by the time the people enter to take it.
What a bittersweet ending to a long life. To see the land but not to be allowed to arrive there. All because of past misdemeanour and failure on Moses' part. (He had failed to trust God fully – Numbers 20:12.)
To Ponder:
- What, if anything, is hindering your current journey with God?
- What can you do about changing things to allow your journey to continue fruitfully?
PrayerGod, please open our eyes and ears to identify where you are at work, and open our hearts and minds to join in your work, your journey and to reflect your life. Amen.