Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Fulfillment (04/06/06)
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TITLE: A VISION WITHOUT FULFILLMENT | Previous Challenge Entry
By Erin Meadows
04/07/06 -
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“This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed. I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.” (Deuteronomy 34:4)
Moses was a very special servant of God, one of the few who ever saw God face to face and lived (Exodus 33:11). God chose him to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, and worked many miracles through him. He also was appointed to receive the Law which continues to be followed by the Jewish people. He wrote several of the Old Testament books about the history of Israel.
Yet Moses did not make it to the Promised Land, because of a tragic flaw in his character. He did not obey God perfectly, and his anger cost him his inheritance in Canaan. The Lord showed him the land of promise in a vision. It must have been a terrible moment for Moses, to see that which he had longed for and struggled for, and not to be able to enter in. It must have been painful as the prophet over Israel to know that people who had done less for God than himself would enter the land, but he would not, after all of his sacrifice. It would almost seem unfair, but Moses had more direct contact with the Lord. He knew better than to disobey and provoke the Lord, after witnessing all of God’s conflicts with the Israelites.
The Bible says in Jude 9 that the Devil fought with Michael the archangel over the body of Moses after his death, indicating there was a dispute over his right to his heavenly inheritance as well. But Moses was still precious to God, with all of his flaws and weaknesses. The Devil could not rob Moses of his deep relationship with God.
Many incredible Christian people I know fall short of their own vision of what they could be for God, and what the Spirit has given them the power and ability to be. I often find myself feeling that I could be more for God, and that I could accomplish so much more for His Kingdom than I do. I could do more missionary work, I could do more for my church, I could intercede in prayer more for my lost loved ones and for my nation which is becoming more and more sinful. But something holds me back, and I become lazy and apathetic. God has anointed me by His Spirit, and given me a powerful testimony which could deliver people from bondage. I could do serious damage to the Devil’s territory, but I often just stop fighting.
In Revelations 3:5, Jesus says that if we overcome, he will introduce us to His Father and to His angels. I just want to hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” What if I see Him, and He shakes His head in disappointment, or tears fill His eyes at what could have been if I had worked harder for His sake?
I know that my salvation is sealed with His Spirit as a pledge, and no one is able to take me out of His hands. I know that I have an inheritance as a child of God, but I don’t want to be ashamed at how little I accomplished for Him, when I behold his face. I want my crown to be full of stars because I led many people to Christ, and I don’t want anyone or anything to steal my reward from me.
I pray that I will not be like Moses, who worked and suffered so much and loved the Lord, only to be left with an unfulfilled vision of what might have been.
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Revelations 3:11)
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