Exo 33:11 So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle
Moses loved and obeyed God even when it costed him dearly, in all places and in all circumstances. In Israelites' eyes, Moses swung from hero to zero and vice versa many times. Moses was their HERO when he led them out of Egypt but only until they reached Red sea! When they were stuck between Egyptian army and Red sea, Moses became 'ZERO' and they revolted against him. But, Moses did not expect or depend or even wait for their approval or recognition or praise. He kept his fervent focus on executing God's order as HE commanded.
While we all know the first part of the verse above well and heard it preached many times accentuating Moses and his love and obedience, today, I want to draw your attention to the latter part of the verse that is hardly ever noticed or preached.
The faith and obedience of Moses had strong impact and influence on Joshua, his servant! Its easy to like or praise or follow someone from a distance (no pun on, Peter). But, up close and personal, one gets to see the good, bad and the ugly. But the life of Moses was in such love obedience that, it made Joshua go above and beyond. Day and day out, this servant Joshua saw his master Moses, at whose word the millions of Israelites march or camp, waits up on his God!
Joshua was a mere servant who wouldn't even have imagined that one day he would be leading in Moses's place. But, now as a servant, he watched and learnt from his Master so much so that, even when Moses departed the Tabernacle, his servant Joshua did not!
Maybe Joshua thought, the presence of God that covered the Tabernacle, might linger a bit longer or extend a bit more to touch, transform and use him as well? Maybe he thought, if there is any remnant of the conversation that Jehovah God wanted to have with Moses, HE could call the servant to convey it. We do not know Joshua's had in his mind. Others might have even ridiculed him or called it all futile.
But, God was watching! Not just Moses but his servant Joshua as well! God watched Moses for his life that had profound impact on his immediate circle, while God also watched Joshua for his faith, love and obedience not only to his master but to the God His master worshiped, obeyed and served.
Dearly beloved, within the family and beyond, what is your influence on the closest circle God has placed around you? The good ones and the thorny ones, both. Would you first of all be pleased if they worship, obey and serve God, like you?
You may be an obscure servant or slave or no name, today. You may be the least appreciated or even ridiculed for your fervent faith. You may be at the lowest level of social or spiritual order today. But the same God who saw a future in Joshua that neither Moses nor Joshua even knew, is your God and sees your future, today. When it came to picking the next leader, God did not look among the greatest and mightiest but he sought after the humble servant Joshua and rest is history.
Whom are you serving today? Do you have that kind of 'no strings attached' love for the Lord? Love and obedience not for what he does/gives but for WHO HE IS? When you do, where you see ashes today, God sees beauty, where you see loss, God sees gain, when you are orphaned God says, I was an orphan once, when you are ridiculed, God says, I've been there, when you say your love is reciprocated with hate, God says, I know how it feels. You are never alone!
Do it all with genuine, sacrificial love. Not just to please God but when we show the same kind of love Jesus showed for one another, it pleased HIS Father then and so it does our Father God, now!
Shake yourself out of the dust, the maker of heaven and earth, the one who holds silver and gold, is your God. He sees your love, faith, obedience and works. He will reward you in due time if you continue to love and serve HIM with absolutely, NO STRINGS ATTACHED!
Blessings for the day and week ahead! Go and be the Godly influence in your circle!
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