Be Positive
Deuteronomy 33:1-5; 34:1-12
What do you want your obituary to say about you? If someone were writing a book about your life, what would you want it to say?
Most of us do not like to think about our death or to talk about it. Many of us will fail to plan for what happens after we are gone. My uncle suffered from emphysema and realized that the end was near. He moved his family from a beautiful, drafty, large old house that would require tremendous upkeep into a new modern, well-planned home before his death. He wanted to be certain that his wife and daughters had a place that they could manage.
Moses, in preparing for his death, blessed the tribes of Israel. Again he reminded them of all the things God had done to bring them this far. He also blessed his successor, Joshua.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our leaders blessed their successors? Moses prepared his followers for new leadership that would help them face new challenges when they crossed the Jordan River. Moses was positive about the changes that were in store. Because Moses embraced Joshua, the children of Israel did as well. They were willing to listen to Joshua.
At his death, Moses was still a vital leader. His eyes were clear and his strength was still evident. Moses was faithful in his service to God and the people until his death. He left a legacy of service that survives to the present day. Moses finished well.
The Bible honors meditation and periods of withdrawal from the cares of daily life in order for us to renew our strength. God provided the Sabbath as a day of rest, but there is no retirement from service or faithfulness in the Bible.
What a wonderful example Moses has left us. We are to bless those around us and plan for their future welfare. We are to help them prepare for the changes that will come. We are to help them embrace the future.
God rewarded Moses with a great gift. He took him to a spot high on Pisgah where he could see all of the lands that God had promised Abraham. He let Moses glimpse the fulfillment of his life’s mission. What an exhilarating moment that must have been. Moses trusted God, and God was faithful to his promises. Moses died and was buried by God in a place still unknown to man. He was eulogized and mourned for 30 days.
You and I may not get to experience the fruition of our life’s work, but we have the assurance that God is faithful. Our challenge is to stay useful and faithful for as long as we are able. Like Moses, God want us to finish well.
Carnell– Lessons in the ETB series for the winter quarter are being written by Mitch Carnell, member of First Baptist Church, Charleston.