Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, August 14, 2015

Today’s Scripture:

“Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.” (Deuteronomy 3:27–28).

Quick Observation:

The time had come for Moses to pass the proverbial mantle to Joshua. He had faithfully led the Lord’s people through trial and triumph through the wilderness. He had experienced the Lord’s presence unlike any other before him, and almost every other after him as he communed with God, enveloped by a divine cloud. His journey of faith would soon come to a close, because one honored and entrusted with the level favor as he, was also held to a high standard of responsibility. He allowed his anger to get the better of him a Meribah, and the Lord could not allow the fact to go unchecked before the people. He did not sanctify the Lord before their eyes; therefore, the Lord would only allow him to see the Promised Land, but not go in. He would be laid to rest with his ancestors.

Before he died, this man of God was to give his faithfull successor one more boost of encouragement and strength. He was to ensure Joshua’s faith in Yahweh was strong, that he was ready to do the Lord’s bidding without wavering, and that he would cherish his responsibility to lead God’s loved ones through the trials and victories that lay before them. Moses discharged his final duty faithfully, and Joshua was ready to go, by faith!

Life Application:

Are you ready to go? I mean, are you ready to do whatever the Lord says, no matter how great or small? If I have not learned anything from Joshua’s story besides one, it is that all he cared about was serving. He did not murmur about playing second fiddle to Moses. He did not complain about being associated with faithless people for forty long years. He was delighted to serve, no matter what, and it turns out that the Lord was preparing him to be the one who would carry out the earthly fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.

We all can learn a lesson from this stalwart character. No matter what God has for us to do, He has given us the privilege of doing it in the power of His Spirit, and with all our hearts.

A Prayer for Your Hearts:

Lord, help us to be satisfied with your calling on our lives. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.--L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)