Living in the Spirit

October 19, 2020

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

The 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.’ Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his vigor had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.

Joshua 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.

Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequalled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. –Deuteronomy 34:4-12

Moses’ job was a lifetime appointment, as was Joshua’s. The passing of leadership responsibility is a constant in life from tribal leadership, monarchies, and democracies. Thus, change, too, is a constant in our lives. I have always wondered if Moses was disappointed at not entering the promised land or if he thought, in Paul’s words, I have finished the race* now is the time for someone else to take over.

Our call to serve God, whatever our responsibilities, is also a lifetime appointment. Our duties will change as the world changes, and our abilities develop. I was surprised to see former President Jimmy Carter walking with a hammer in hand across a Habitat for Humanity building site on TV recently. I think he is 96. When I was baptized in 1954, I never envisioned cell phones or computers being mainstays of my work.

In a few weeks, we face the changing of the guard in our governmental systems in our cities, counties, states, and nations. Some incumbents chose not to run for office, and some will lose. All our ruling bodies will have a different makeup of participants. We must work to make that transition as smooth as possible. As a country theoretically ruled by the people, we must remain engaged in assuring that our governments’ work is dedicated to guaranteeing the people’s common good.

Prayer:Lord, guide us in our civil engagement as we strive to build a better world ruled by your love. Amen.

*2 Timothy 4:7

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. A

ll rights are reserved.