Word of Encouragement (11/10/2022)

Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” (Num. 27:15-17)

Moses offered this petition when the LORD told him to prepare for his death. Today, let’s simply observe that Moses did not complain about his imminent death. This is hard not to do when we are young. We cannot help but feel that our lives are cut short when we must die young. And we feel sorry for others, who die young. We have this idea that everyone deserves to live to a certain age. That is hard not to do when we speak routinely of the average lifespan or life expectancy of a certain population or race or gender.

But our lives are not based on any “average” and “expectancy” according to some random chance or probability or statistics. If the hairs on our heads are numbered by our God (Luke 12:7), how about the days of our lives? Our lives are in God’s hands and our days are numbered according to God’s decree. And does any of us as a sinner deserve to live a long life when the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23)? Any length of life we get to enjoy in this world is by God’s grace. So, we should pray with Moses, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12).

We can understand why Moses did not protest. He was 120 years old by that time. He was given the privilege to lead the people of Israel as God’s servant. For his significant service as the mediator between God and Israel, he would be remembered for a long time. But his life was not easy. He was almost killed at the moment of his birth were it not for the love, courage, and shrewdness of his parents. Then, by God’s providential intervention, Moses grew up in the luxury of Pharaoh’s household. But he became a fugitive when he killed an Egyptian, who was beating up a Hebrew. That was when he was forty. He lived as a fugitive for forty years in the wilderness of Midian. God called him at the age of 80 to deliver the Israelites from the Egyptian bondage and lead them to the promised land. He reluctantly accepted the call. But when he did, he witnessed firsthand God’s amazing glory and power.

Yet, the task of leading Israel was anything but easy. He was often accused of unthinkable things by a rebellious and ungrateful people. And even though God had supplied him with all the vigor he needed to carry on his work, he was 120 years old. He was ready to rest from his labor and take his leave of this world. And that is the comfort we have. When the time comes, God will prepare our hearts to accept His will for us and submit willingly to it.

Do you live as if you would live forever, taking the people and things in your life for granted, putting off doing what should be done? Do you pray for the wisdom to number your days so that you may live each day diligently, faithfully, and purposefully? If God were to call you home, would you be ready? If not, why not? What can you do today and in the coming days to prepare yourself well for your final moment?

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