“And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed”. Deuteronomy 31:8 It is easy to undervalue words of encouragement. For many of us who were raised under the hearing of the Word we can perhaps become accustomed to hearing exhortation from the pulpit, and begin to ignore or not recognize it anymore for what it is.
Moses knew how important it was to encourage the Children of Israel. Especially as he got older and his last days drew near. He was one hundred and twenty years old when he spoke these words before all of Israel. He knew already that he would not be crossing the Jordan river with his people that he had led for so many years.
He spoke to the group of the providence of God and then he turned to Joshua and spoke the words here written. He made an important distinction when doing this. He didn’t tell everyone that Joshua was going to lead them. He instead told Joshua that The Lord would lead them. He then encouraged Joshua, and in turn everyone listening, that because of the Lord’s leading they had no reason to fear or be dismayed.
We can take comfort from these words. We have a Savior who has gone before us. One who was tempted in all points like we are and yet he was without sin. The writer to the Hebrews tells us in the last verse of the 2nd chapter “ for in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” Not only was he tempted, he suffered physical pain in his body as well. What a reassurance for us to know that he has experienced all in our behalf so that we only need to look in faith to his complete work as our means of salvation. I encourage all who hear those precious words of encouragement as they sit in the pew, or hear them from a brother or sister in faith, to take them to heart and know that Christ has come for each and every one of us. He has walked through the Valley of Baca (weeping or sorrow) for us. We can grasp hold of his nail scarred hand and be led along the sure path by that Good Shepherd as we journey toward our homeland. We can sing as we walk with his hand in ours that old familiar hymn:
1 He leadeth me: O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me, he leadeth me;
by his own hand he leadeth me:
his faithful follower I would be,
for by his hand he leadeth me.
2 Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
sometimes where Eden's flowers bloom,
by waters calm, o'er troubled sea,
still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me. Refrain
3 Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
nor ever murmur nor repine;
content, whatever lot I see,
since 'tis my God that leadeth me. Refrain
4 And when my task on earth is done,
when, by thy grace, the victory's won,
e'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Praise God for his unspeakable mercies to us in Christ!
Hans Lampinen
Submitted by Pastor Stan
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