Is it just me or do you have to sound out Deuteronomy really slow so that you spell it correctly? LOL!
We have an incredible promise to dig into together! Let's set the scene first - Moses is 120 years old and God has told him that he will not cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land, that he will die soon.
Pretty sure that I have read it many times before, but I recently saw anew that God buried Moses!! My mind was blown! I wonder wonder wonder - did Jesus come in human form and dig a grave or did God do what only God can do and just make it happen? I have so many questions to ask when I get Home!
And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. ~ Deuteronomy 34:5-6
As I study the Bible more and more, I am so encouraged by how God used folks that were advanced in years, like Moses, he was a force for the Kingdom till the day he died at 120. I am confident God will use me in some way till the day He calls me Home and that is exciting!
Deuteronomy 31 is titled "Joshua to Succeed Moses".
Things I also wonder -
Was Moses a little disappointed that he would not get to enter the Promised Land or was he so filled with great anticipation to go be with God that he didn't care?
Was Joshua scared to death and overwhelmed to lead Israel? - He must have been. - Not only was he to lead them, he had the task of dividing up the land by tribes.
**Joshua was the man God would use but the work was the LORD's.
All of Israel has gathered to hear what Moses has to say - in verse 3 he tells them "The LORD your God Himself will cross over ahead of you." In verse 6 he tells them to "be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or terrified, for the LORD goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Then Moses has Joshua come up in front of all Israel and said to him our focus verse which is a repeat of what he has just said to all Israel. - Joshua needed encouragement and Moses encouraged him. Moses could give this certain encouragement because he knew first hand the faithfulness of God over the last 40 years in the wilderness.
The AMP says - "He will not fail or abandon you." MSG says "God is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you."
God has gone before me to prepare the way, He knows all things to come and has prepared the way, placing people and moments there that I will need. AND He will walk with me along the prepared path, NEVER leaving me!
Forsake = to renounce or turn away from entirely - to quit or leave - abandon - to leave without intending to return.
See......here is exactly why I love to include definitions! Forsake....eh what is that really??
God will NEVER renounce me!
God will NEVER turn away from me!
God will NEVER quit pursuing me, loving me, protecting me, guiding me, growing me.
God will NEVER abandon me!
Suddenly forsake looks and feels different and makes my eyes leak.
No matter how I misbehave or how far I run, God will never leave me - why does He love me so much? How can He love such rottenness?
We see this encouragement repeated in verse 23 -
The LORD gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you."
God told Joshua - "I myself will be with you." - that had to be all he needed to feel like he could take on anything! Alright den - let's go!
We - Us - You and me - We have the same promise that was given to Israel and Joshua - it is repeated time and again in scripture. It is also repeated many times in scripture to not be afraid, to not fear.
When we know - that we know - that we know we have God's promise of always being with us and never ever leaving us - why should we fear? Why should we be discouraged?
Try to imagine God always with you -
When you are on a walk - He has His walking shoes on walking right beside you, listening to all of your questions and worries.
When you are driving and singing praise in your car - He is in the passenger seat, delighting in the praise of His child.
When you are having coffee and study time in the morning - He is right there in his robe, coffee in hand delighting in the closeness of His child and pleased that we are seeking Him.
When you are playing with your kids or grand kids - He is right there smiling and laughing, delighting in His kids.
When you are serving your people - He is right there cheering you on and delighting in the work of your hands.
When you are in a difficult situation - He is right there providing the calm, peace and comfort you need.
When you are on the floor, sobbing with your hair in your face - He is right there tucking your hair behind your ear, wiping your tears away and telling you how very much He loves you.
When you are making a difficult decision - He is right there, providing the wisdom and guidance you ask for.
In all these places - God has gone before us, He has already prepared the way - We just have to trust.
God, please give us a greater knowledge of Your presence in our lives!!
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