Great strides in medical science is making it possible for people live longer and healthier. But all this are no guarantee; one day aging will overtake us and our bodies shut down.
Deuteronomy 32:44-52
New International Version (NIV)
44 Moses came with Joshua[a] son of Nun and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people. 45 When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. 47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.
Moses to Die on Mount Nebo
48 On that same day the Lord told Moses, 49 “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. 50 There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. 51 This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadeshin the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. 52 Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.”
48 On that same day the Lord told Moses, 49 “Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo in Moab, across from Jericho, and view Canaan, the land I am giving the Israelites as their own possession. 50 There on the mountain that you have climbed you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people. 51 This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadeshin the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. 52 Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel.”
What is preventable is, an attitude of bitterness and regret as we grow older. Reading the scripture text above, at a 120 years of age, Moses stands with his fellow Israelites before they crossed the Jordan River to enter into the Promised Land (Israel).
He was disallowed to go with the rest for he had at some point during the journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, disobeyed God, whereby in his anger he struck the rock in the wilderness:
Numbers 20:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
Numbers 20:24
New International Version (NIV)
24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah.
Moses had every right to fall into self-pity and be resentful. After all for 40 years he bore the burden of a stubborn and stiff-necked people. Try managing the handful you might have in your organisation or home-cell.
Was it not Moses who interceded for the people time and again throughout the wilderness journey?
Now at the sunset of his life viewing the Promised Land from atop Mt Nebo, his designated resting place, he offers praise to the Almighty, and urges the new generation of Israelites to obey Him:
45 When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. 47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
Likewise as we grow older and fade into the sunset of our lives, we can either dwell on our failures and hardships endured in the years gone by and bicker and regret or instead, we can remember the faithfulness of God, accept His countless discipline and keep looking to the future in faith.
For in so doing, we avoid a bitter attitude.
We cannot avoid growing old, but we can avoid growing cold!
Was it not Moses who interceded for the people time and again throughout the wilderness journey?
Now at the sunset of his life viewing the Promised Land from atop Mt Nebo, his designated resting place, he offers praise to the Almighty, and urges the new generation of Israelites to obey Him:
45 When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. 47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
Likewise as we grow older and fade into the sunset of our lives, we can either dwell on our failures and hardships endured in the years gone by and bicker and regret or instead, we can remember the faithfulness of God, accept His countless discipline and keep looking to the future in faith.
For in so doing, we avoid a bitter attitude.
We cannot avoid growing old, but we can avoid growing cold!
A sure way of living life positively would be to praise Him daily.
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