Deuteronomy 31:6-8 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 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.” Moses is announcing to Israel that he will not be able to enter the promised land, that he cannot cross the Jordan, and that it is God who will go before them and fulfill the promise. This must have been difficult for the Israelites, hearing that Moses, the man who has led them since leaving Egypt will not be entering the promised land. There must have been some doubt throughout the audience, which is answered by the command Be strong and courageous!...repeated twice in this verse. Publicly, Moses calls out to Joshua and acknowledges him as his successor. Sometimes God will use us to lead others to the promised land. We may not be the ones who enter that promised land on earth but if we do as God asked and lead others, we will be in our eternal promised land. Sometimes we are the mentors to lead others so that they are rewarded here on earth. Never underestimate your power through the Holy Spirit to help spark change and revolution for God!
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 13:21:49 +0000