SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 31
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. [Deuteronomy 31:8] This must have been a hard time for Moses. He had spent 40 years with this people, they had bonded through their wilderness journey, though he was painfully aware of their weakness. He is doing his best to keep their focus on God, His purpose, His power. But he also knows that they will fail. As a nation they will turn away, be distracted, and defeated.
It makes me think of Jesus as He prepares His disciples for the coming crisis at the cross. Then Jesus told them, This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ [Matthew 26:31] How hard it must be. Like a parent giving final instructions to their child leaving the home. They know that they will have to make their own mistakes, that in fact they will probably fail in some ways. But that’s reality, and in that reality they need to be encouraged to remember the Lord.
Like Moses, Jesus encourages us as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. [Luke 12:32]. This is our confidence. The Lord is going with us, the Father is on our side. We may leave and forsake Him, but He will never leave or forsake us. We are like a flock of sheep, easily distracted, easily deceived, easily defeated. But our confidence is in the Good Shepherd, Who though He was struck down for a moment, has risen victorious. Through Him God’s kingdom is re-established and we are guaranteed the ultimate victory. Short term we will stumble, short term we will face challenges. But ultimately we can be courageous and confident.
I find this message inspiring for myself as I consider the great opportunities and challenges that lie before us as a church. I am assaulted by fears and doubts, but then I remind myself that though the battle may be tough, the outcome is guaranteed. As we move into Falby Court, and explore what serving the Lord will look like there, we can be assured that the LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. [Deuteronomy 31:8]
PRAYER:
Lord, I will not be afraid, I will not be discouraged. I refuse to give the enemy more credit than You.
This passage reminds me of the farewell party thrown for Bilbo in the Lord of the Rings story.
Just like Bilbo, Moses was celebrating a birthday (his 120th versus Bilbo’s 111th)
Just like Bilbo, I am sure Moses could have said of the people,
“I don’t know half ofyou half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve”
Just like Bilbo, Moses had to depart – his time had come
Just like Bilbo, Moses needed to pass on responsibility. For Bilbo it was to young Frodo. For Moses it was to Joshua.
I am sure Moses was ready – God would raise up strength and courage through Joshua and the work of redemption would carry on.
As leaders we need to come to terms to the end of one’s season and to pass on the torch so to speak to the next generation. New adventures awaited Frodo and Joshua, but God would be with them both.
God’s reassuring words – for all His people doing His work, living His way – Do not be afraid or terrified for the Lord God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be discouraged. Learn to listen and do. Do this and Live !
And even though in the good times you fall away from My ways, I will place this song in your hearts. As we hide passages of scripture in our hearts for the ‘cloudy’ days, we also need to hide ‘songs of praise’ in our hearts for the times when we face difficulties – for we will face them – while visiting the kids and grandkids, or working in Haiti.
I remember clearly as my mom was struggling to remember who I was towards the end of her days – singing songs of praise drove the evil one away from her. All was forgotten but not His Word or His songs!
Help me each day Lord to arise and serve You with Your Word in my heart, singing Your praises.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.