Notes From the Pastor's Desk
June 22, 2025
Forsaken Blessings
Read Deut. 34:1‑8. Moses here is about ready to leave the earth and go home to be with God. Moses had failed the Lord and his life on earth was about to come to an end. Even though he had disobeyed God and smote the rock instead of speaking to it, God showed His love for Moses in this account before us in Deut. 34:1‑8. So many times you and I have failed the Lord, but that does not change His love for us. Peter is proof of that fact. After denying the Lord three times at the fire of Jesus' enemies, Christ after He arose said, “Go tell Peter” (Mark 16:7).
I. A Glimpse of the Land
(v. 1‑8) There is first a revelation. Verses 1‑3 show us that the Lord took Moses up to Mt. Pisgah and showed him the land promised to his people. God does not fail in His promises. What He pledges to do He will do! Moses saw the land but was not able to enter the land. It goes back to Num. 20:10,11. God told Moses to “speak” to the rock, but in disobedience to God he “smote” the rock twice. As a result Moses was not able to enter into the Promise Land. He saw it from Pisgah, but could not enter into it because of his disobedience. Do you often see blessings that could have been yours, but you didn't walk with God to obtain them? There was also a refusal. God said to him, “Thou shalt not go over thither” (v. 4). Sin brought out God's refusal. Sin causes us to forsake blessings that could have been ours.
II. A Word From the Lord
(v. 4). It was a faithful word. God said, “This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Issac and unto Jacob” (v.4a). God promised a land and set the boundaries for it (Gen. 15:18). What God promises He performs. It was a fruitful word. God promised Abraham to give it unto “thy seed.” Compare Gen. 32:12. It was a forthright word. God told Moses “Thou shalt not go over thither” (Deut. 34:4). It is sad when a person allows sin to deprive him of the blessings of God. God plainly, candidly, and simply told Moses he would not go over into the Land of Promise. God's word is plain when it comes to the truth.
III. A Burial Unexcelled
(v. 5-6). God loved Moses for He personally buried him in an undisclosed place. God saw to it that the body of His servant was taken care of when he died. God could have destroyed it by fire, but instead God buried the body of Moses. How priviledged Moses was to have God take care of His funeral service. God loves even those who fail Him.