November 3, 1999
FAMILY BIBLE SERIES:
Trust God to see you through
life's transitions
___Deuteronomy 31:1-8; 34:1-12
___By Susan Pigott
___Logsdon School of Theology, Abilene
___I'm not good at transitions. I like things to stay the same, and I find myself profoundly unsettled when change is on the horizon. And change is on the horizon in our family--we're expecting our second child in April.
___Now, of course, this is a good thing. But I'm worried how our firstborn, Nathaniel, will adjust to the major changes this will bring to his little life. After all, he is going to be dethroned from his enviable position as the sole focus of our lives. And, frankly, I'm worried about howMommy is going to adjust. We're facing a major upheaval in our lives; how will we all cope?
___The people of Israel were facing a major transition in Deuteronomy. They were encamped on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. It should have been a time of anticipation and celebration. But Moses, the only leader they had ever known, was not going to guide them there. At this critical turning point in their journey, Moses was leaving them forever and a new, unfamiliar leader was taking over. This had to be a source of dismay and confusion for the people, and the timing couldn't possibly have been worse.
___Although Moses also grieved over his inability to enter the land, he focused instead on encouraging the people. "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" (Deuteronomy 31:6). Even in the midst of great upheaval in their lives, the people could find hope because God would never abandon them.
___Then Moses went to the top of Mount Nebo and viewed the land he could not enter. It must have been a bittersweet moment for him, knowing he would never taste the fruit of the land or experience the joy of Abraham's covenant being fulfilled. Nevertheless, he was allowed to see for himself his people's future home. And with this hope he died. The book of Deuteronomy concludes with a fitting eulogy for Moses, God's servant, "whom the Lord knew face to face" (Deuteronomy 34:10).
___Those at the foot of the mountain grieved for Moses, but the time eventually came for the weeping and mourning to end and life to resume (Deuteronomy 34:8). God filled Joshua, their new leader, with a spirit of wisdom, and a new chapter in Israel's history began.
___How do you cope with transitions? Whether they occur because of joyous events (marriages, births, new jobs) or in the midst of tragedy (divorce, death, job loss), they can be difficult to face. When transitions come, we have to decide how we're going to adjust. Will we face the uncertain future with fear and trembling, or will we stand strong and courageous in the knowledge that God always goes before us tracing out our paths and providing us with continuous guidance?
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