The Tension…
Have you wanted something so bad you could almost taste it? Well, maybe not taste it, but have you–at the least–felt something really strong inside you–to the point of discomfort? I have. I remember wanting to work in Alaska as a fishing/hunting guide after my senior year of high school. It was all that I could do just to not think about it. I wrote out my pros and cons, and waited and waited for the opportunity. As it turns out, I wasn’t asked to go, and it stung. Bad.
Take a second and think about a time when you wanted something so bad you could almost taste it, but it didn’t work out. You had the best of intentions, you weighed all your options, but the answer was a simple “No”.
Well, at the end of Moses’ life, he faced a similar situation. His desire for something he didn’t have was so great that he even “…pleaded with the Lord…” to grant his request. However, it was the Lord’s will that prevailed…
“Enough! Speak to Me no more of this matter.”
Deuteronomy 3:26b
What did Moses want?
The desire of Moses’ heart was to put his feet upon the land promised by God to his family. He wanted to “…cross over and see the fair land that is beyond the Jordan, that good hill country.” You really can’t blame him either. Joshua and Caleb had previously given a good report of the land, and had even returned with some of the incredible agricultural produce. Moreover, he had been with these Israelite people for over 40 years, and it wasn’t always an easy road. No, they had doubted his leadership and wisdom many times, rejected God and built for themselves an idol, even rejected him as their leader, and complained incessantly. All Moses wanted to do was just to cross over and see the ancient–400+ year old–promise of God fulfilled.
And so, his desire to cross over to the land seems pure, his heart seems set, but in Moses’ case in particular God’s judgment was final. The answer was, “No.” The reason behind why God didn’t grant him what he requested is another article for another day, but suffice it to say that Moses was previously told he could not cross over. However, the principle of Moses’ desire was nevertheless the same. He wanted something he didn’t have, and he wanted it bad–perhaps even thought he deserved it. I can relate to that…
So, what is Moses to do?
God was clear with Moses–his responsibility would be specific and it would provide insight into the heart of God and us as well…
“…charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, for he shall go across at the head of this people, and he will give them as an inheritance the land which you will see.”
Deuteronomy 3:28
God would let Moses see the land from the top of Pisgah–a mountain with a view of the land of Canaan–and instead of letting him cross over, He would ask him to (1) charge, (2) encourage, and (3) strengthen Joshua. In other words, Moses, take a seat…your purpose has been fulfilled. What? Moses, the covenant mediator, the redeemer–in a sense–of Israel? How could God just let Moses go? I mean, think about it for a second: (1) Moses has the experience, (2) Moses has the relationship with God, and (3) Moses knows God’s commandments better than anyone. Logic says that this is the type of leader that God would want to lead His people into the foreign, scary, and event-filled land. Could this be some sort of mistake?
Not so.
God’s ways are higher…
From our perspective, it would make complete sense for God to grant to Moses his desire to cross over into the promised land. More than that, it would make sense for God to even use him for another 40 years to lead the people through their next leg of their journey. But, God’s ways are higher than are ways. And, in so many words, Moses was replaceable–and so are we. Ouch. That hurts. But it’s true. And so, instead, God would use Joshua to lead the people of God in the exact way He intended them to be led. God would perform through Joshua–the conduit of God–the purposes of His plan of redemption. Thus, it is not about us–our strengths, our experience, etc.–it is about God and His desire to use us for His good as He sees fit. God’s ways are higher…even if it means that we don’t get what we want–even if we are more qualified, more experienced, or more whatever than the next guy. God’s ways are higher…
How does this apply to us, today?
In your moments of rejection or not getting what you want, do you ask the question, “What am I to do now?” You were wanting the job, and you didn’t get it. You’re single and you want to be married. You’re married and you want to have kids. You’re excelling in your job, but the other guy gets the promotion. You’re treated unfairly even though you treat all people fairly. You’ve done all that you think you can do, you’ve prepared, you have the experience, but the answer is, “No.” What can we learn from Moses’ story above? Really the question is, “What can we learn about the heart of God, and apply it to our lives?”
- Never forget that you are replaceable.
- Therefore, invest your life into the irreplaceable things that will continue on into eternity: (1) Human souls and (2) God’s Word.
God has given you the privelege to invest into eternity by changing lives and reading His message to mankind. Stop and think about that for a second. As a Christian, you have the greatest opportunity to effect change by leading a life of discipleship and meditation upon the Word of God.
And so, you didn’t get the job or promotion–are you mentoring someone or discipling someone? You’re single and want to be married–are you setting aside time to meet with the living God in His Word? You’re married and you don’t have any kids (even though you really want them)–are you investing into the kids at your church’s nursery? The reality is, when we don’t get what we want–and then we question God and His goodness–what we’re really saying is, “I know what’s best, not God.”
O, that we would follow Moses’ lead…he did disciple Joshua, he did prepare him to lead the people of God into the promised land, and God used Joshua–differently–profoundly to fulfill his purposes.
You’re replaceable. So am I. Therefore, let’s invest into the irreplaceable things of eternity: souls and God’s Word.
Let’s go.
— February 24, 2017