"From My Heart to Yours..."
© William Eudy, Preaching Minister
All Rights Reserved World Wide
Who Will Take Your Place
Who will take your place? Have you ever thought about that? When you and I
are gone, what then?
This question is not dealing with indispensability. “There will always be someone!”
That’s true. But who will that someone be? And what kind of service will that
person render?
An Old Testament passage makes the point very well. “Joshua, son of Nun,
the servant of the Lord, died…and they buried him… After that whole generation had
been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord
nor what He had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord
and served the Baals” (Judges 2:8-11).
Moses faithfully served God, leading Israel towards the promised land for forty
years. As he neared his death, he prepared Israel for the change in leadership, and
encouraged them to keep serving the Lord. “I am now a hundred and twenty years old
and I am no longer able to lead you… Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him
in the presence of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people
into the land… The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you…” (Deut.
31:2-8). Moses also “wrote down this law and gave it to the priests… and to all the
elders of Israel. Then Moses commanded them… Assemble the people – men,
women, and children… Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and
learn to fear the Lord your God” (vss. 9-13).
Moses served faithfully to the end of his life. He trained new leaders. He
urged these leaders to teach all the men, women, and children to know, and to keep
the law of the Lord. And they did. Joshua’s generation remained faithful to God, but
they made a critical mistake. They failed to train the next generation. So, their own
children “grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what He had done for Israel.” So,
they also “did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals.”
This really speaks to us today. It urges us as parents in our homes. It emphasizes
the purpose of our Bible Class ministry. It underscores regular worship experiences
as we assemble. Our faithfulness is one thing. The next generation’s is another.
And the next generation’s service to God depends in part upon the training and
the example they have received from us.
How are you doing?
Have I told you lately that I love you?
William
