Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD (Psalm 102:18)
It's hard to believe I've been writing to you for 2 1/2 months, and that you are less than two weeks from your departure. I'm so glad God placed you all on my heart and hope that I have encouraged you. For my last email I've been thinking a lot about what it means to live for the next Generation. I'm starting to think like a parent as I am seeing the sobering reality that even if I have no natural children I have spiritual children. Our life of faith is not just for us but generations after us who will be affected by the decisions we make today. I want to leave a legacy like the Levites who did not partake of the natural inheritance of the twelve tribes of Israel, but their inheritance was the Lord.
It's hard to believe I've been writing to you for 2 1/2 months, and that you are less than two weeks from your departure. I'm so glad God placed you all on my heart and hope that I have encouraged you. For my last email I've been thinking a lot about what it means to live for the next Generation. I'm starting to think like a parent as I am seeing the sobering reality that even if I have no natural children I have spiritual children. Our life of faith is not just for us but generations after us who will be affected by the decisions we make today. I want to leave a legacy like the Levites who did not partake of the natural inheritance of the twelve tribes of Israel, but their inheritance was the Lord.
1 The Levitical priests—indeed, the whole tribe of Levi—are to have no allotment or inheritance with Israel. They shall live on the food offerings presented to the LORD, for that is their inheritance. 2 They shall have no inheritance among their fellow Israelites; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them. ( Deuteronomy 18:1)
Let's look at Moses life again but in a different light. I once read a church sign once that said "Don't be discouraged, Moses was a basket case too". Moses was an imperfect man with anger issues, but when you think about it I don't know anyone who could have handled the Israelites the way he did. Imagine an over-sized van filled with bad kids going to Disneyland. The children keep distracting you and you have to take your eyes off the road to discipline them, causing the van to swerve and occasionally almost hit a telephone pole. The ingrates don't correct any of their behavior but get continually worse. Now imagine that instead of taking 14 hours the trip takes 40 years. I think if it had been me, right after I brought down the 10 commandments I might have hand chiseled a resignation letter to God. Moses obviously had an endless well of love for his people, constantly interceding on their behalf and wanting the best for them. Even though he was unable to enter the promised land, we see in scripture how he helped to prepare the leader for the generation to enter the promised land, Joshua. Joshua was Moses' young aid and a warrior. Of all the Isrealites, Joshua gleaned the most from Moses by being a faithful servant and eventually surpassed Aaron, the right hand man of Moses. Joshua led the Battle with the Amalekites, the battle where Aaron and Hur held up Moses' Arms. Joshua helped to with the battle, something that did not go unnoticed by God:
13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. 14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. (Exodus 17: 13-15)
We see Aaron become the ringleader to buld the golden calf for the people to worship causing God's anger in Exodus 32. In response Exodus 33:7-11 Moses went to the tent of meeting. The tent of meeting was outside the Isrealites camp where Moses would talk and abide with God. Joshua was the only person brave enough to enter with him, and stayed in the tent even when Moses left. He was the only one it seems that learned the importance of spending time with the Lord.
11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. (Exodus 33:11)
We see how Moses declares before Israelites the heart of God that Joshua was Moses successor.
37 Because of you the LORD became angry with me also and said, “You shall not enter it, either. 38 But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it. 39 And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it. (Deuteronomy 1: 37-39)
We see how Moses declares before Israelites the heart of God that Joshua was Moses successor.
37 Because of you the LORD became angry with me also and said, “You shall not enter it, either. 38 But your assistant, Joshua son of Nun, will enter it. Encourage him, because he will lead Israel to inherit it. 39 And the little ones that you said would be taken captive, your children who do not yet know good from bad—they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it. (Deuteronomy 1: 37-39)
21 At that time I commanded Joshua: “You have seen with your own eyes all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms over there where you are going. (Deuteronomy 3:21)
Finally we see transference of annointing from Moses to Joshua.
9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses. (Dueteronomy 34:9)
God is calling us to leave a legacy of faith, help to prepare the hearts of minds of not only our contemporaries, but for the baton carriers that will finish the race.
3 A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40:3)
God is preparing all of you to impart his heart to this generation of Cambodian children. Year after year you are tearing down strongholds and replacing them with love. When you mix that love with their knowlege of scripture, what you are helping to produce are powerhouses that will be able to shout down spiritual Jerichoes in the minds and hearts of Cambodia and the world. I have heard your stories concerning these children and have watched how you come back transformed year after year. I know God will continue to do amazing things through you in the lives of these children. May God go before you and meet you in Cambodia. May you go in the confidence of Christ knowing that he will be moving through you.
24 The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. ( Numbers 6:24-26)
All the best to you!!! I want to hear about the trip when you return!!
-Kamaria
I want to share the song Son of Man with Tye Tribbet featuring John Owens, one of my favorite collaborations.
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