This morning I attended the funeral of my mother's sister. She was 88 years, and five months old. She was a faithful child of God and ready to 'go home'.
The 90-year old (!) minister who shared the Word at the funeral service delivered a powerful message from Deutoronomy 32 and 34.
"Then the Lord spoke to Moses that very same day, saying: 'Go up this mountain
of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, across from Jericho;
view the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel as a possession, and
die on the mountain which you ascend, and be gathered to your people...' "
Deut. 32:49-50
A harsh word ... a direct command not to be disobeyed!
Go up the mountain and die.
Moses had angered the Lord at the waters of Meribah and was not allowed entry into Canaan although he would see the land from the summit of Mount Nebo. Although he was denied access into Canaan, he was not denied sharing God's presence. Sometimes at the end of a lifetime we may also see a glimpse of those things that we failed to achieve or attain in our lives because of our stubborn will or wrong choices. With hindsight our mistakes are so easily recognized. We are reminded to live life to the full; to grab each moment and make the best of it.
We are all destined to die.
At some stage, somewhere, sometime, we'll all get this call from God. This is a mountain that you, and I, will also have to climb. It is a personal call from a very personal God.
When you first hear the call and start out, the ground is level and you may be full of energy, rested and vigorous. But as you proceed to climb ever higher, the mountain becomes steeper, and your energy will become less. You may become quite fatigued, without breath and feel yourself weakening. Yet, higher still the mountain rises, until you reach the cliffs near the summit. Now it is indeed heavy going. You probably have to use your hands and fingers to help claw your way up the steep, rocky cliffs. Almost there...
It may take a day, a week; months perhaps, or years to reach the summit. When you reach the peak you are utterly exhausted and weak. Someone is waiting to embrace you and take you to your resting place.
"So Moses the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, according to the
word of the Lord. and He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth
Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. Deut. 34:5-6
How exciting to reach the summit of a mountain, when you are assured that it is the Lord who will be waiting there for you.
How terrible if it is not Him...
Thank You, Lord God, that You give us yet another opportunity to meditate on our own situation. An opportunity to seek Your Face and make sure that when we reach the summit, You will be there for each one of us individually.
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