READING:
One-year plan: Numbers 27-29
Two-year plan: Job 19-20, Acts 21:26-22:5
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One of the hard lessons I had to learn early in my ministry is that ministries go on even after we are no longer their leader. I’m sure I knew that up front, but my ego was such that I didn’t always know what to do when someone took a role I formerly had – like the next pastor who followed me after I stepped away from the first church I pastored. I was ill-prepared for hearing folks who formerly called me “Pastor” now call someone else by the same title.
What I’ve realized since then, though, it that this is simply part of God’s plan. He always has the next leader in place according to His will and leading. In today’s reading, Moses would no longer be leading God’s people—but Joshua would be. Moses, in fact, commissioned him to that task: “Moses did as the Lord commanded him. He took Joshua, had him stand before the priest Eleazar and the entire community, laid his hands on him, and commissioned him, as the Lord had spoken through Moses” (Num 27:22-23). It was Joshua—not Moses—who would lead the people into the Promised Land.
How I wish I would have better understood the process early in my ministry! I would have had much more peace in transitions and would have rejoiced more over the ministries of my successors.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Have you had an experience where God raised up someone to take your place?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, thank You for Your plan—no matter where that plan leads.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Numbers 30-32
Two-year plan: Job 21, Acts 22:6-21
MEMORIZATION VERSE (Feb 16-28):
“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chron 20:12)
