Deuteronomy chapter 31. Moses spoke with all Israel and let them know that he is no longer going to be leading but assigns Joshua as the new leader. He lets Israel no that even though Joshua will be the new leader God is the one who will deliver them from their enemies. Israel is told to be strong and courageous because God will never leave them nor forsake them. Joshua is told to be strong and courageous because God will never leave him nor forsake Him. Moses wrote down God's law and it was to be read before all of Israel so that they would remember to fear God and obey him. And it must be read to the children so that they learn about God.
Once again God predicts how Israel will turn their hearts away from him and that he will bring a cursing upon them.
As I think about my own life and the lives of the Christians around me, I am reminded that God calls each of us into a relationship with him through Jesus. And as believers we are on a journey and I must remember that God is always with us and will never leave us nor forsake us. We must rest in these words because this adventure gets tough. It is during these times we must remember he is with us and we must be strong and courageous and not give up.
At the camp, our biggest income comes from having campers. Without campers this ministry would not exist. This Camp is a great resource for being able to reach kids and youth and adults for Christ. But getting campers to come is tough work.
Sometimes I feel it's a tough task and feel overwhelmed with the thought of getting new campers Plus keep the regulars still coming. It's during these times I must lean on the Lord all the more and trust him to show what I must do the reach kids and youth to come and be a part of what God is doing here. I must remember that God will never leave me nor forsake me.
Some of us are called to be leaders and are placed in leadership positions. We are to be role models and mentors to others. We must not turn our hearts from the Lord because if we do, we are at risk of forsaking God and hurting our testimony for the Lord. This could cause others to stumble or fall. We must be faithful to the Lord as leaders.
We also must stay in the word of God daily:
1. So it can help us stay focused on the Lord.
2. So it can help us fear God in a way that we want to be faithful to him.
3. So it can help us stay obedient to God's word.
4. And hopefully we will share God's word with our kids so they can follow the Lord as well.
I was thinking today again about how Moses had lead the people for such a long time and Joshua would soon be the next human leader for them. How exciting it must have been to be getting ready to enter into the Promised Land, but yet how sad to know that the people would turn away from God. Chapter 31 ends with an introduction to the song of Moses.
The song of Moses comes up again in the New Testament in the very last book of the Bible.
Check out Revelation 15:2-4. And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
It’s almost like God said to Moses that you’ve been preaching and teaching for 30 chapters but the people won’t remember your sermon. What they will remember is a song … write them a song. Moses didn’t procrastinate but rather he wrote the song that very day and began to teach it to the people.
Two things strike me … I want to be like Moses and “do it right now” – whatever He asks. Secondly, God reminds us that music is an important part of our worship.
This chapter is a reminder to me that sometimes leadership roles change and it’s important to embrace and respect the calling God puts on our lives. Moses humbly accepted Joshua taking the lead of bringing the people into Israel. We need to be humble in the changes in our lives and trust the Lord when He is calling for a change.