and its something that God recently reminded me of...
to which I then explained to Him that the story didn't pertain to me at this point in my life...
and we can all guess how that ended.
So let me share the lesson I've learned (actually, still learning).
The last chapter in Deuteronomy tells of the Lord showing Moses the Promised Land. He could not enter, but he saw it from Mount Nebo. The chapter goes on to tell of Moses' death, burial, and the people of Israel's mourning.
I have a feeling that while some might have known that Moses was not to enter the Promised Land, they were shocked when he died. Verse 7 says,
"Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated."
The man the people of Israel had followed through parted water and barren desert was gone and quite suddenly it seems. After Verse 8 goes on to say the days of mourning ended and the hand-off happened. Joshua, son of Nun, was up. He had been blessed by Moses, so they all knew it was coming, and they responded with obedience. **Side Note: can I just say, that's a big deal! Let's think about it... If these people had been wandering in the desert for 40 years, and had dwindled down to only the descendants of Caleb and Joshua... I think it is safe bet to say that those left, had lived their entire lives under Moses' leadership. If not the entirety, then a good bit of it. So they have to trust, follow someone else after spending your life under someone else?? I believe it to be a testament of who they really were submitting themselves to: God Almighty Himself. (Granted, I know that the children of Israel didn't always do what they were suppose to, but at that moment they were on it.)
Moving on.
Deuteronomy ends, Joshua (and God's lesson for me) begins.
Deuteronomy ends, Joshua (and God's lesson for me) begins.
"After the death of Moses, the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 'Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go...' "
(Joshua 1:1-2a)
Do you really think God needed to inform Joshua that Moses was dead? That somehow he missed it and God needed to highlight the fact that the great prophet wasn't around anymore? That the man who had poured into Joshua and blessed him to lead God's people was GONE?
Now, I'm not Joshua, nor am I trying to downplay his role in scripture. He was a man of God and may I remind you one of two that had faith that the Lord would give them the Promised Land (Numbers 13). But in my human flesh I can imagine what it would be like to lose such an important person. To be so consumed with my circumstances that God has to state the obvious.
Lord, I miss him...
HE IS DEAD.
They won't trust me....
ARISE.
I can't do this. I can't lead them. How can I?
GET UP. GO...
I try to hold on to things. Good times, good memories, friendships. Re-living in my mind seasons of life that I'm glad God gave me. When I sense God moving me on, I squeeze those things tight and say, "O no God. Please, just let me keep it. Don't make me try something new." So in my clinging and re-living, I don't see the opportunities that God has in front of me. I don't want to move on to try something new or trust something/someone new. So I hold on to what is comfortable and familiar. But as I sat in a corner, holding on for dear life, mourning, sadden that a season is over, the Lord steps in to end it.
He says... ARISE.
Or is Kristinense: GET. UP.
Now, please hear me. I'm not saying you shouldn't mourn or be sad when you lose someone or you move on to a different season of life. I'm saying that I have the tendency to dwell on it past a reasonable time and it takes our sweet Lord intervening to get me out of a rut. He stated the obvious and gave instruction. Because He loves you and I too much and has better things in store for His glory than to let us wallow in a corner.
The rest of verse 2 and 3 say...
ARISE.
I can't do this. I can't lead them. How can I?
GET UP. GO...
I try to hold on to things. Good times, good memories, friendships. Re-living in my mind seasons of life that I'm glad God gave me. When I sense God moving me on, I squeeze those things tight and say, "O no God. Please, just let me keep it. Don't make me try something new." So in my clinging and re-living, I don't see the opportunities that God has in front of me. I don't want to move on to try something new or trust something/someone new. So I hold on to what is comfortable and familiar. But as I sat in a corner, holding on for dear life, mourning, sadden that a season is over, the Lord steps in to end it.
He says... ARISE.
Or is Kristinense: GET. UP.
Now, please hear me. I'm not saying you shouldn't mourn or be sad when you lose someone or you move on to a different season of life. I'm saying that I have the tendency to dwell on it past a reasonable time and it takes our sweet Lord intervening to get me out of a rut. He stated the obvious and gave instruction. Because He loves you and I too much and has better things in store for His glory than to let us wallow in a corner.
The rest of verse 2 and 3 say...
"Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to then, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses."
The Promised Land was waiting!!! He was giving instruction to go to the place that they had waited on for YEARS. WHOO HOO! How awesome to look at what was ahead. Better still, God goes on to reminds Joshua how He will be with him just like He was with Moses. How Joshua was not to be frightened or dismayed, but to be strong and courageous (v. 9).
Its time to get up. He promises to not to leave or forsake His own. Why would we delay?
Its time to get up. He promises to not to leave or forsake His own. Why would we delay?
