March 21

“On that same day the Lord spoke to Moses–Go up Mount Nebo . . . You must die there on the mountain” — Deut 32:48-50

To each of us the summons will sometime come: “Go away from your farm, your store, your desk, your books, your pleasure, into the silence of your own room–and die.” We may not hear the voice, when we lay down our work at nightfall, nor be conscious that we are going away to die; but this will not alter the fact. We will come to our last hour–when the voice none can resist will call us from earth.

Moses was to die alone. None of the people accompanied him. Every one of us really has to die alone. Our friends may gather around us; they may hold our hand; they may sing or pray with us; they may drop their tears on our cold cheek, and print hot kisses of farewell on our lips–yet we must die alone. No one can accompany us beyond the foot of the mountain. This is a point at which the tenderest affection can give no help. It is like one going out on the sea in a ship. Friends come to the shore and wave their farewells as we go out–but not one of them goes with us. We must die alone!

“So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there . . . just as the Lord had said.” Deuteronomy 34:5