Adopt the Right Perspective
Deuteronomy 32:1-9, 36-39, 43
In Deuteronomy 32, Moses neared the end of his story. A slave, a prince, a murderer and a fugitive, his epic tale really took flight while keeping his father-in-law’s sheep on the edge of God’s mountain. God sent him on a mission.
His journey from Egypt to the desert prepared Moses for his assignment. The rest of the journey shaped Moses into the person God intended him to be. As Reggie McNeal wrote: “At 40 years of age, Moses could have gotten the Israelites out of Egypt. Not until he was 120 years old could he deliver them to the banks of the Jordan. He could accomplish his call only by his constantly submitting to God’s heart-shaping activity” (p. 20, “A Work of Heart”).
As he reflected on his journey, Moses sang of God’s greatness (vv. 1-4). God is a rock. His works are perfect, His methods just and fair. God is dependable and without fault. Moses’ acknowledged God’s worth.
Moses sang of people’s willfulness. God gave them good things (vv. 10-14), but they attributed those good things to false gods (vv. 15-18). God let them experience His wrath (vv. 19-22) by letting them experience the emptiness of life without Him (vv. 37-38).
This was the end of Moses’ story, but not God’s story. God’s story is the tale of redemption and vindication of humanity (vv. 36-39). In God’s light, false gods fail (vv. 37-38). God has no equal (v. 39). God’s work through Moses, and through His people today, leads to a song of celebration as redemption is realized through God’s saving work (v. 43).
Like Moses, you have been called to play a part in the epic story God is writing. As you reflect on your life, how has your story played out? People want to live a great story, but such stories are hard work and painful. It is easier to allow ourselves to be lulled into comfort, watching from the balcony as God’s story unfolds.
“If (your life isn’t) telling a good story, nobody thinks you died too soon; they just think you died” (p. 38, Donald Miller, “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years”). Moses died at 120 years old. He was missed and his story was celebrated (Deuteronomy 34:8-10). How will your story be remembered?
Scudder– Lessons in the BSL series for the winter quarter are being written by Steve Scudder, former director of missions for Savannah River Association.