Deuteronomy 34 is the end of an era. Nothing like what happened through Moses’ last forty years that was chronicled will ever happen again in Israel’s history. Moses had led the people till the doorway of the promised land. Now, it was time for him to leave. The Lord watches over Moses as Moses gets ready to leave his mortal body. Then the Lord buries Moses’ earthly body. What an amazing end! Apostle Paul wrote that the moment we who follow Jesus leave our body, we will be present with the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8). Just as the Lord was with Moses when he died, the Lord will be with us who trust Jesus when we stand at the doorway to eternity. As we leave our earthly body, we will be in the presence of Jesus.
As Moses climbed Mt. Nebo (Deuteronomy 34:1), he knew death was imminent. But God was with Moses. King David understood this truth when he wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid, for You, Lord are with me” (Psalm 23:4). This shepherd’s psalm is imagery of God’s love and care. When a lion and a bear attacked David, he must have thought that he would die – but God was with David, and God rescued David (1 Samuel 17:36).
I do not know what you are facing in your life – whether it is an unexpected illness, accident, cancer, or in this pandemic, Covid-19. If you are going through your darkest hour, remember God is with you. We don’t know God’s plan for your life. Just as God rescued David from the lion and bear, His plan may be to deliver you. Or just as God called Moses to his eternal home, God may call you home. But this truth we know: every minute of this challenging journey, God is with you.
