Just before this verse in Deuteronomy 31, Moses had been preparing the Israelites for the inevitable day that a new leader (Joshua) would take over for him. The Lord forbade Moses from crossing over the Jordan River into Canaan, into the Promised Land, because of his past willful disobedience. So, Moses himself would not be with the people of Israel going forward, which saddened him greatly.
It reminds us, though, that our disobedience to God’s instructions and calling always has consequences, for ourselves and sometimes for generations after us.
“So Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel. And he said to them,
‘I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. The Lord has said to me, “You shall not go over this Jordan.” The Lord your God himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations before you, so that you shall dispossess them, and Joshua will go over at your head, as the Lord has spoken. And the Lord will do to them as he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them. And the Lord will give them over to you, and you shall do to them according to the whole commandment that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.’
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel,
‘Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.’”
Deuteronomy 31:1-8 ESV
I can only imagine the Israelites’ apprehension and sorrow; after all, Moses had been the only leader they’d known for an entire generation, and his death was quickly approaching.
Change and the uncertainty and sense of loss that often come with it can be incredibly difficult, so Moses wanted to reassure them that, even though he wouldn’t be with them, GOD would be! As a true leader, his heart was for his people rather than for himself at the end of his life.
Moses’s purpose and time to lead were coming to an end, but a time of NEW leadership and direction were just beginning.
God could be trusted now just as in the past, and Moses wanted to encourage his people, to help them transition as best they could, to inspire optimism and hope in all of Israel and then confidence in Joshua, whom they knew well and who had been training for this since he was a young man.
There was still more work to be done, and the Lord would make a way for them just as He promised.
“Be strong and courageous. … It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
When God calls us to move, we can have confidence—despite our fears—that He goes ahead of us, preparing the way for us before we even get there, AND that He goes with us, helping us move forward with every step, giving us His strength and wisdom to do so.
We can trust Him!
What are you struggling with today?
Have you talked to Him?
He’s with you and loves you unconditionally and can handle all the emotions and questions and fears you bring to Him. You don’t ever have to do this alone. The Lord carries our burdens right along with us and lightens the load when we lay it at His feet and give it all to Him.
What do you need to let go of today?
Let go and take hold of Him instead! This time of year, with the leaves changing colors and then falling away, is especially good at reminding me to “let go and let God.”
Life gets SO busy and throws us all kinds of curve balls and difficulties, but we can trust Him even then. It’s in these times of uncertainty and pain and fear that leaning into God and relying on Him for every little thing is what carries us through the valleys to higher ground and prepares us for what lies ahead.
Friends, God has called you to something!
I don’t know what that is—it’s different for all of us, but I know for certain that you are needed in this world. Don’t doubt that for another minute.
Moses was a stage-fright-striken, initially reluctant leader of multitudes.
Joshua was a young leader in training, being obedient to put in the work and prepare well for his upcoming role as Israel’s new leader—no pressure!
Mary was a young wife to Joseph and loving mama to Jesus and his siblings. All of us parents know that raising kids—let alone raising the Son of God—doesn’t come with an instruction manual, but Mary had faith and willingly obeyed.
NONE of the great people and leaders in the Bible were perfect. Most had heavy pasts or inexperience or weaknesses that they thought disqualified them for service, BUT …
God had other plans—redeeming, restoring, life-changing plans.
If you woke up this morning, friend, there is HOPE because the Lord has a purpose for you … right now … right where you are.
Find strength in HIM to keep going.
Find courage in HIS power.
He’s already paved the way ahead of you. The next step is simply taking a step of faith with HIM; it’s doing the next right thing.
Maybe for you the next right thing is prayer (always a good decision). Maybe it’s asking Jesus to be your Savior. Maybe it’s calling an old friend or doing something completely out of your comfort zone like starting a blog—I recommend lots of prayer and quiet time beforehand, haha.
Maybe your unique calling right now is raising a child or being a more encouraging spouse. Maybe it’s sharing your testimony with your neighbor or taking a meal to someone who is struggling or hurting. Maybe it’s changing careers to be able to spend more time with your family. Maybe it’s starting a non-profit or going back to school or teaching a Sunday School class.
Whatever “it” is, this calling on your heart is not just meant for you.
It’s meant for HIM and His glory—it’s Kingdom work—so the world can see His goodness and faithfulness and love and then come to know Him as their Saving Grace, so more souls can be with Him in eternity.
Make no mistake that He could do all of that without us … but He doesn’t want to. He doesn’t need us—He’s God … but He loves us too much to leave us.
Out of that love, He’s given us free will and wants us to experience His presence so that we come willingly to the throne of grace and mercy, laying ourselves and everything we have at His feet and asking Him to be Lord of our lives.
Friend, this stirring in your heart is there for a reason, and the only way it’ll be strong enough to get your feet moving through the fear is with Jesus.
It all starts with Him and that next right step.
Do you trust Him?
Will you let Him lead you?
Will you be obedient to His calling on your heart?
I so hope you will! If there’s a decision that needs to be made here, you’re the only one who can make it. Make it prayerfully.
We all need Jesus, but this fallen world also needs US—you and me—to be His hands and feet, to be a beacon of His love and mercy and saving grace.
Will you pray and do that with me today?
Lord Jesus, we are humbled by your love and sacrifice for us. We want to be strong and courageous like Moses and Joshua and Mary but sometimes don’t know how. Our own strength just isn’t enough for the pain and pressure of this world. So, right now, we lay ourselves down and let go of that control and of our own plans and own will. We give it all to you. Please, lead us to your Word and remind us of your promises. Thank you for being with us always, for filling us with your strength and giving us your wisdom! We know you’ve called us to take this next right step and have already prepared us to do so. Help us find the courage to get our feet and hands and mind moving in the right direction. We love you and trust you and pray all of these things in your name. Amen.
Feature photo by Oliver Cole on Unsplash
