058 Friday, February 27, 2009

058 Numbers 27 – 29; Romans 7

It's Friday, do you know where your leader is? Again, we are able to witness another leadership moment. God directs Moses to climb the Mt. of Abarim and to look over the land that the people of Israel will be inheriting, but not Moses. Moses saw the land and that was it. This directive begs the question, "Who is now going to lead God's people?" God had the answer to that question.

Yahweh tells Moses to lay his hand on Joshua for the Spirit is in him. This ceremony is to be done with the head priest Eleazar and in front of Israel. The baton is to be passed on to Joshua with everyone as a witness. His soul mate will be the priest Eleazar. Moses follows these orders to the tee. Moses was truly a humble servant of the most high God.

Joshua had been in training but we do witness the intentionality that is so evident in the N.T.
Some would argue that after Joshua died there was more chaos because there had no one raised up to take Moses place. The transition form Moses to Joshua was seamless and Godly. God brought victory to His people through Joshua.

In Romans chapter 7 the fact is brought to our attention that Christians have two natures. One nature desires to go their own way, but the believer who has Christ's Spirit living in them wants God's will. It is because of this chapter that I have come to believe that there will always be a wrestling match between these two natures until we arrive in heaven.

For some followers of Christ this truth is too much to bear. Yet, what Christian can say they never are tempted, never have to confess sin, or reconcile with people they have offended. The only other option to latch onto is to believe that our experience is contrary to what the Bible teaches. In other words, we can be perfect and this is what the Word of God affirms. The truth is that the Bible doesn't teach perfection for us here on earth but it does teach us that we can grow and become like Christ.

Don't give up. Keep believing Christ for victory and that Jesus is with you in those moments of temptation. Philippians 4:13.