Deuteronomy 1:8-13
In the text, Moses gives his farewell address to the Israelites, people he had led for forty years, who were in Moab and about to engage in war with the Canaanites. He knew that he would not accompany the people into the Promised Land, and he wanted to remind them of their duty to God. He spoke to them about the importance of loving and obeying God. His advice to them was to stay faithful and obedient to God. He rejoiced about their increasing numbers, and he was ambitious about the goals of Israel. However, he knew that he could not manage the children and rule the new nation by himself. So, he advised them to hold an election to choose new leaders, and to use the scriptures as a guide for deciding who to select. “Choose wise and discerning and experienced men from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.”(v. 13)
Like the Israelites, there is trouble in our world today. Everything our forefathers worked and died for seems to be eroding. Moses told the Israelites that their hope rests in choosing godly people who will do the will of the people and bring them together not tear them apart. Today, our hope also rests in choosing godly men and women to be our leaders – people who are guided by wisdom, discernment, and integrity – individuals whose skills have been tested, see justice and inequality, and are guided by wisdom. There’s trouble in our world. Vote for God. Have conviction for the God in you. Strive for personal convictions that are grounded in scriptural truth that provides boundaries for living a godly life. Trust in the Lord no matter what!