Verse of the day: Exodus 33:11 So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.
Once again, in this verse, we see the personal, intimate, fellowship between God and Moses. He talks with him as a friend talks to a friend, openly, freely, without restraint. However, let us make another observation. It is unknown why Joshua the son of Nun remained at the tabernacle while Moses went back to speak to the people. However, what we see is an influence on Joshua, by Moses’ relationship with God, which seems to motivate Joshua in his service to both God and Moses. What kind of influence are we having on those around us? Do we live in such a way, as born again believers, which motivates others to draw near to God and serve Him; or do our words, actions, and deeds repel people from Christianity? Does the way we live discourage and kill other believers’ desire to draw near to God? As Christ’s ambassadors, how are we representing Him here on earth? An ambassador is someone who is entrusted with authority to represent the country he/she is from in a foreign land. We are pilgrims and strangers here on earth, as our real home, in Christ, is Heaven (1 Peter 2:11). We have been entrusted with the Gospel message. We are called to bring that message to every creature (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20); however, the way we live out the Gospel, and our service to the Lord, will either work with us or against us in carrying out this command. We know that as ambassadors we will have to deal with two sides of a coin. On one side, there will be persecution from those who reject the message, and those who will seek to discredit the truth of the Gospel (Matthew 5:11; John 15:18-17). Therefore, it should be no surprise when we suffer rejection, insults, and even martyrdom, for the sake of spreading the Good News. How we respond to this persecution can make the difference in whether or not someone changes their mind about the Gospel, and chooses to turn to Christ. There is also another side. There is that side of the coin that says, “Follow me as I follow Christ”. The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 4:16, and 11:1, urged the Christians at Corinth to follow his example; not because he was perfect, but because he was imitating Christ. If others were to imitate us in the way we live, would they be imitating Christ or Satan? If they spoke the words we speak, had the attitude we have, did the things we do, especially in secret, would they be imitating Christ? Does our life, and relationship, with Jesus, motivate others to know Him on a more personal level? Do our fellow Christians, who know us personally, desire to draw closer to God when they see our personal relationship with Him? This is not to say that we walk around filled with pride because others follow our example, or hold our lives up as one to be emulated, in our walk with Christ. This is about being a true ambassador for Jesus. It is about pointing people to Him. It is about being like John the Baptist who desired that Jesus would increase in his life, and he would decrease (John 3:30). This is about people seeing more of Him in us than seeing more of us. Moses, and his relationship, his friendship, with God, seemed to have had a positive effect in the life of Joshua, whom the Lord would later choose to lead the people after Moses’ death. What kind of influence are we having in this world for Christ and His Gospel? Are we doing all we can to influence others to not just serve God, but seek a true personal relationship, and friendship, with Jesus Christ?
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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