A Worthwhile Journey

The Israelites had done all the work just as the Lord had commanded Moses.  Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the Lord had commanded. So Moses blessed them.  Exodus 39:42-43 

(This is my last devotion focused on the study of Exodus) 

I remember the last project that a team of us had completed for work.  It took months of work and follow up, and there were times I did not know where we were.  But somehow, I knew we would figure out a way to get it done.  We were frustrated with each other occasionally, and we wondered if each of us had a full commitment to the project.  But we hung in there together, and before we knew it, we were there near the finish line.  We had not forgotten the struggles, and lessons from our hardship taught us not to let our foot off the pedal being so close to the end.  But it was clear we could start to reflect and marvel at the work we had done, and it felt good that those who placed us in charge of the process were pleased with our work.  The journey was all worthwhile. 

We should always remember that our walk of faith is a journey whose success is determined by how greater our faith in God has grown.  As I look to this excerpt from the Book of Exodus, we are looking at the finished product of the Tabernacle the people of Israel had built.  It said, “So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed. The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses.” (Exodus 39:32) Everything from the gold lampstand, bronze grating, anointing oil, and woven garments were completed to Moses’s liking.  But it really wasn’t to Moses at all.  It was to God’s instruction.  However, note that it was not God who blessed the Israelites.  It was Moses. 

This journey of Moses was fascinating.  When it started, he was born to a slave and swept into Egyptian royalty.  He was later stripped of everything and banished into the desert.  Then of course, the moment that changed everything was when Moses met God and asked a question that drives me closer to God each and every day; who am I? (see Exodus 3:11)  And God answered, “I am who I am.” (see Exodus 3:14).  Moses became the unquestioned leader of Israel not because he had this great gift of leadership.  Instead, he simply followed God’s instruction to the letter, and as a result, became God’s faithful servant whom He had complete trust in.  In his servitude, he led Israel out of the hands of Egypt and into the new covenant with God.  It is only fitting that he be allowed to bless Israel for again he had followed God’s instruction to the letter.  Keep in mind this was not when they had reached the Promised Land, but you could sense they knew with a high degree of certainty they would get there.  Furthermore after all they had been through together, they no longer questioned Moses.  He was ‘the man.’  We may often challenge what God is asking of us.  But if we are willing to listen as Moses did and follow His instruction, we will have a closer bond to God than we could ever imagine.  What’s more is that it will continually get closer with each day.  This is what God wants from each of us; a closer walk with Him. 

God is with us no matter how much we may stumble.  Moses’s utter confidence in God earned him such favor that God entrusted him to punish as well as bless the Israelites.  Quite a feat for someone who once questioned who he himself was.  We too should embrace those qualities of Moses.  We may not see ourselves as the conquering hero, but our role is never to decide what role we are cast.  It is to do God’s will, and He will handle the rest.  Martin Luther King, Jr., like Moses, never made it to the Promised Land, but once the journey started, there was no question where it would end.  Note what his want was: 

Well, I don't know what will happen now; we've got some difficult days ahead.  But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop.  And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life—longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will.  And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain.  And I've looked over, and I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you.  But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. (I've Been to the Mountaintop, April 3, 1968) 

What do you see at the mountaintop?  How can you trust God’s instruction?  My prayer is that we submit to God’s will knowing that the journey is worthwhile.  Amen, and thank you for taking this journey through Exodus with me.