“That is enough…Do not speak to me anymore about this matter.” These are words spoken to Moses by God (see Deuteronomy 3:26) after Moses presses the issue to enter the promised land when God has clearly made it known that Moses cannot do so. However in God’s good grace He does allow Moses to at least see the promised land even though he cannot enter it (see Deuteronomy 3:27). When God says “no” it is always for a greater “yes”. I wonder how often we miss that greater “yes” wallowing with our eyes downcast in the “no”?!
We find the greater “yes” for Moses in the very next verse! Deuteronomy 3:28 (NIV) But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” It is easy to become discouraged with a “no” rather than look up for God’s greater “yes”. Moses’ job was not to lead the people into the promised land but that did not mean God did not have an equally important job for him to do! Moses was to use the experience God had given him to equip, encourage and strengthen the next leader! This beckons a look at 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 (NIV) …
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
Every assignment, every job is to the glory of One, to the honor of One, to further His Kingdom. So… Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) What is Apollos, what is Paul, what is Moses or Joshua, what are you, what am I apart from Him?! John 15:5 (NIV) “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. God Almighty is our equipping and He knows best where we will be most effective for Him. There are no small parts in His story, the Author of all time and space will not waste it. So if He has given us a breath in our lungs and a beat in our heart and asked us to apply it to something (even if it isn’t the “something” we had hoped or planned) it is something of eternal value and importance to Him.
May we not waste energy longing for the jobs He has assigned others, rather focus on Jesus and receiving all He has for us to complete the important job He has given us. All He asks is that we are faithful, not necessarily successful. Results/growth are in His capable hands. Trust Him and enjoy the adventure He hand picked YOU for! Dear one, may His voice be the only validation we seek. …Well done, good and faithful servant!… (Matthew 25:23 NIV)
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Psalm 2:11 (CSB) Serve the LORD with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling.
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