When someone goes to his or her grave having blessed others, it speaks volumes about that person. And that is what we have here with Moses. Instead of writhing in anger over the fact he wouldn’t be joining the people in the Promised Land, he nevertheless sought to bless his people once more before he departed from this world.

Of course, while wanting to be a blessing to people is good and noble, what you believe will bless them the most is even more important. Here Moses gave us an example of blessing others by wanting them to be happy in God, and the way he went about that was by reminding them of God’s initiating a relationship with them. He said, “How happy you are, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is the shield that protects you, the sword you boast in. Your enemies will cringe before you, and you will tread on their backs.” Moses decided to exit this life by reminding his fellow Israelites that God is good, and it is in Him, and not their own strength or cleverness, that they were protected from their enemies. May we likewise serve those around us by reminding them of God’s goodness to them in their own lives.

• In what ways are you seeking to be a blessing to others around you? How are you striving to do this?