Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Wednesday, March 23rd: Deuteronomy 32, Psalm 90, Deuteronomy 33-34 ~ Nathan


During and after today's reading I kept thinking back,  wondering how Moses felt during his final days. It seems almost like a celebration of his time on earth, but with a small bit of sadness at him not being able to cross the Jordan. 

In Deuteronomy 32 we read a basic summary of how the Israelites began and their history and future of disobeying and repenting.  Moses went through a lot of this and felt frustrated many times.  He was a special prophet who God set apart,
34:10  "Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,"

Moses himself frustrated God (sinned) as well,  and for this he wasn't allowed to cross over into the promised land.  It almost feels sad to read about Moses' final days,  he went through an incredible journey in his life and finished strong.  He sinned many times along the way,  including murder,  but God still used him to bring the Israelites out of slavery and to the brink of the promised land.  Moses doesn't show bitterness here,  for not being able to go the final step,  it's like he accepts the role God had for him and was pleased to play the role he did. He was a true leader,  but also a team player. 

Am I happy to play a role in God's plan,  even if I don't ever see the final results?  Am I happy to play a small part,  when I won't see any glory for it here on earth?

Maybe I can play a role in others coming to know Christ.  It would be nice to be around and witness the joy the minute Jesus enters their life, but this person may need someone to sow the seeds long before someone else comes along to help them take that final step.

Same as how Moses helped lead the Israelites almost all the way to the promised land.

3 comments:

Emma said...

I like that analogy at the end there. We can be a part of leading to people to Christ but we might never see the actual moment they give their lives to Him. Like how Moses lead the Israelites but never got to go into the promised land. Sometimes I feel like I'm not being used for anything big in God's plan, but His plan needs the small parts too. Without the small parts you wouldn't be able to see the big picture in the end. You can't complete a 1000 piece puzzle if one piece is missing.

Tammy said...

It must have been hard for Moses not to be able to enter the Promised Land. How he must have regretted his sinful outburst that caused him to miss out on that amazing experience! A huge reminder of how large consequences to our sin can be.

Some other verses that jumped out at me today....

Psalm 90:8 You spread out our sins before you—
our secret sins—and you see them all.

A reminder that it's impossible to sin in secret. God knows everything about us, every word, every thought, every motive. We cannot hide from Him. Yet He loves us and wants to forgive us if we come to Him with that sin, instead of trying to run from it.

Psalm 90:12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.

The right perspective (an eternal perspective!) is essential in order to grow in wisdom.

Conrad said...

I was thinking the same thing about Moses not entering the Promised Land. He was able to see first hand the result (punishment) for his sin. How different would we live, if we were able to directly see how our sins would affect us or our loved ones?

Good analogy of completing the puzzle Emma!