Who truly leads us

At the end of his life, Moses said something to the Israelites that must have left them with a sick feeling in the pit of their stomachs.

I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you… (Deuteronomy 31:2)

Moses had been their leader for so long. For Joshua, he had been a beloved mentor. But now Moses was about to die, and he could no longer lead them.

How did they feel?

Scared?

Inadequate?

Probably.

But Moses encouraged them,

The Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. (2-3)

No matter how good a leader is, he or she cannot lead you forever. No matter how revered a mentor you may have, that person will not always be there for you.

But God himself will always be with us. And he can take us to places where our leaders and mentors cannot.

So even while they are with us, let us not focus or depend so much on our leaders, pastors, or mentors.

For the time will come when they depart, and we will be left behind.

But as Moses told Joshua, he tells us now.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (8)

And God himself confirms to us,

I myself will be with you. (23)