During the Lenten season, members of Faith Lutheran Church have written our daily devotions. Today’s writer is Betty Becker.
4The Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants’; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there.” 5Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. 6He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. 7Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated. 8The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.9Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses. Deuteronomy 34:4-9
Upon first glance, I can’t help but be indignant for Moses. This was a devoted servant who dedicated his life to God only to be told he will never quite reach the Promised Land. The unfairness of it seems painfully harsh.
Yet, as I look closer at Moses’ ready acceptance of his fate, I wonder if he saw it not as a punishment, but rather as a gift.
Maybe he was humble enough to recognize that it wasn’t about him. Maybe he saw himself only as a small part in God’s plan. And maybe, as a reward, he was granted a glimpse of the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Let us pray: Help us to be mindful that we are only part of something bigger as we joyfully give of ourselves with a true servant’s heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Daily Devotions 
March 14, 2014 at 11:05 pm |
Like Moses, let us be humble in the Lord, trusting in His will.
We may feel small in the Universe, but we are big in God’s plan.