Today’s Reading Deuteronomy 3-4
Focal Scripture: Deuteronomy 3:23 “At that time I begged the Lord: Lord God, you have begun to show your greatness and your strong hand to your servant, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who an perform deeds and mighty acts like yours”
Moses is reflecting on his life and his journey with the people he has lead for forty years. Moses is thinking about the good and the bad he has experienced with his fellow country men. He knows that he will not be able to see the promised land because of his sin and his disobedience.
Moses here knows what God can do, he has personally witnessed this power. He knows that God’s mighty acts are not like anyone else’s. So Moses asks again if he will be able to enter the promised land. However, God rejects his plea. He does let Moses see the land from the top of Mount Pisgah but he would not be allowed to cross the Jordan. God then told Moses to prepare the next leader to take the people through the next steps of their journey.
This is a difficult task for most people in leadership. They want to hang on to that leadership as long as they can and do not ask the question “Is there someone else who can lead better?” In this situation Joshua was chosen because he did not disobey God. Unfortunately, in many situations leaders disqualify themselves by a plethora of reasons. The single biggest issue that leaders have is the way they speak to and about others. It is their way or the highway. They are set that their leadership is the correct way. To do this they often go after and destroy others with their words. Which in turn ruins their testimony amongst others and in the community.
However, scripture shows us a different way to lead and Moses modeled it many times. When he spent more time with God than trying to lead he was a better leader. He understood that God gives wisdom and that there is nobody like our God in this world. He was dependent on the presence of God. The same goes for people today. Those who seeks the face of God are better leaders than those who try to rule with an iron fist. Good leadership is God dependent not skill dependent. You can learn leadership principles from other sources but the main source is God’s word and his presence.
So I ask you today do you trust in God and his power? Are you a leader who leads in a way that is dishonoring to God? How do you treat and speak to people even when they are difficult? And do you examine if your leadership is God dependent or skill dependent?
When the focus is on how God is above everything our eyes will be open to God’s will for our lives. Do not be like Moses and wait until your influence and life are at an end to recognize this truth. Learn it today.
Tomorrow I plan on reading Deuteronomy 5-7
