Good Advice

Read Deuteronomy 31: 1-8

Context: After leading the Israelites through the desert for some forty years, Moses is stepping down from leadership and is preparing to die. He is giving his final speech to the Israelites and he's passing the baton of leadership to Joshua.

Text:
1 Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: 2 "I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, 'You shall not cross the Jordan.' 3 The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said. 4 And the LORD will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. 5 The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

As we watch the transition of leadership from Charles to Steve, I was interested in seeing how Moses transferred his leadership to Joshua. We heard last week about the blunders Moses made as leader -- I wanted to see what advice he passed on.

"Be strong and courageous, ... don't be afraid, don't be discouraged." And probably the best advice for each of us, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you or forsake you." Hard instructions to remember when you are facing more than a million young warriors and their families.

Remember, only Joshua and Caleb are left from the original Egyptian slaves. The others have died as they wandered around the desert -- never getting to see the promised land. If those who physically crossed the Red Sea on dry land had rebelled, how much more quickly would those who hadn't tasted miraculous freedom turn their backs on their leader?

But as long as they relied on him, God prepared the way. He parted the Jordan River, he subdued giant armies, and he toppled walls of highly fortified cities. The Israelites had to work hard to receive the results of God's actions ... he didn't deliver anything without a fight.

We, too, can take heed from Moses' advice. As you face the world today be strong and courageous...don't be afraid or discouraged. And always remember that God is going before you AND he's standing beside you -- no matter how giant your obstacles seem.