May 10, 2020
What does it say?
Moses begged God to let him enter the Promised Land, but his request was denied. Instead, Moses was instructed to prepare Joshua to lead the Israelites into the land.
What does it mean?
God had already told Moses that he wouldn’t be allowed to enter the Promised Land because of his disobedience (Num. 20:12). However, recent events had renewed his hope. Moses’ bold request is evidence of the intimate nature of his relationship with God. While God chose to deny the request, He lovingly allowed Moses to see the land with his own eyes. Despite his disappointment, Moses’ respect for God’s authority enabled him to encourage and strengthen his assistant, Joshua, to be the new leader of the people.
How should I respond?
It’s not easy when God says, “No” – especially when your hopes and dreams are affected by the decision. It’s even more difficult if God allows someone else to have what you’ve been denied. You may even nd yourself begging, pleading, and bargaining with God to change His mind. Regardless of the outcome, you can trust that God’s love for you will always be the motivating factor in His response. What bold requests have you brought to God? Are you living in obedience to Him so that you’re positioned to receive God’s very best? A mark of spiritual maturity is accepting God’s authority to answer however He sees best.