Even while tinged with a measure of sadness that Moses will not enter the land promised to the Israelites, this is still a beautiful image: that God would show Moses the land. And this, a picture of his health and strength to the end:
7 Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.
Deuteronomy 34:7, ESV
I’m moved by God’s mercy to share a glimpse of the future to Moses, the coming fulfillment of a promise. And I’m encouraged that Moses was vibrant and clear-sighted as he aged.
9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Deuteronomy 34:9, ESV
This transition of authority is intentional and strong. Joshua, full of the spirit of wisdom–what a description. Lately in my readings, I notice a fullness in some of the people. Faith. Wisdom. The Holy Spirit. I want to live in that fullness too.
13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Mark 3:13-19, ESV, emphasis mine
Here I notice how Jesus appoints. He calls those whom he desired. Chosen. Picked. Appointed.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
Psalm 40:1-3, ESV
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.
And here in Psalm 40, David sings–drawn up from the pit of destruction, feet set upon a rock, steps secure, and a song of praise to sing to God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
Lord, you are not wasteful, but intentional. Equipping, appointing, calling. I love how even our worst situations/memories can become the music for our song to you–of your faithfulness, your salvation–to make you known and to glorify you. You can take it all and turn it to glory. You are the one who fills us with wisdom, faith, your Spirit, and song.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 