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Deuteronomy 3:24

²⁴'O Lord GOD, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?

The time for Moses' death was drawing near. In his final book, Deuteronomy, he recounts their journeys and reviews the laws that God had given them. As he came to the end of the retelling of their journey, he recalls praying that the Lord would relent and let him go into the Promised Land.

It is interesting to see that even Moses had the problem of placing blame on others. He told the people that it was because of their rebellious actions that he was not allowed to enter (Deuteronomy 1:37). God said that it was because Moses didn't believe and honor Him in the sight of the people (Numbers 20:12). Even the greatest men have a tendency to justify their wrongs.

Moses pleaded with God on the basis of wanting to see more of God's greatness and might. He said that he had just begun to see God's greatness, even after all the miracles and daily intervention he had witnessed. Seeing God's mighty actions and recognizing His work in the world and in the lives of individuals teaches us of God's greatness. The more we see of His work, the more in awe we are of Him. He knew the taking of the Promised Land would reveal even more of God's glory.

Some things can be changed by prayer, and other things are determined beforehand. God told Moses to not pray anymore about the matter but to go to a mountain top and view the Promised Land. I've stood on that mountain peak where Moses viewed the land. It is quite a sight. But the land to which Moses was headed is even more amazing. It is a city with foundations, whose builder and designer is God (Hebrews 11:10).

Consider: Our days are numbered. If you are in Christ, you will go to that city to which Moses was headed. We may long for things on the earth, even a greater knowledge of God and experience of Him, but until we graduate from this life, we are only catching a glimpse. To see Him then will finish the work He has begun in us (1John 3:2).