I am blessed to have known so many of the Lord’s servants who on the day they died finished well. They heard “well done, thy good and faithful servant” from Jesus himself. I love to hear my parents tell me, “Good job, son. We are so proud of you.”. I cannot imagine how powerful it will be to hear these words from Jesus. My one prayer as a leader remains, “Lord, grant me the strength to finish well.”
Moses finished well. In his commentary on Deuteronomy 34 Peter Craigie says, “Moses was a prophet, but in his epitath it is not his knowledge of God that is stressed, but rather the Lord’s knowledge of him.” (The Book of Deuteronomy, NICOT, p406) Paul reminds us that our highest goal in salvation is not in that we know God, but that we are known by God. (Gal 4:9) And again, “But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” (1 Cor 8:3) How beautiful the picture that we are known by God, the perfect fulfillment and completion of all human desire and need.
Leader, may you serve and lead now with a fixed vision to this end, that God knows you face to face. This is all that shall matter for all eternity.
Intimacy trumps accomplishment.