Who Takes Care of God’s People? – June 15, 2026
Read: Numbers 27:15-23
Moses said to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses. Numbers 27:15-23 (selected verses)
Who Takes Care of God’s People?
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
When a family has a new baby, mom and dad start thinking about a really important question: “Who would take care of our child if something happened to us?” That can be a hard thing to think about. Parents might talk about grandparents, aunts, uncles, or close friends. They think carefully about who loves their children, who will protect them, who will help them, and who will keep teaching them about Jesus. Parents spend lots of time praying about it because they love their children so much.
Moses thought about something like that too. For 40 years, Moses had helped take care of God’s people, the Israelites. He led them through the hot wilderness, helped settle arguments, prayed for them, warned them when they sinned, and reminded them again and again about God’s promises. In many ways, Moses cared for the people like a shepherd cares for sheep.
But now Moses knew he would not be going into the Promised Land with them. Because of a sin from earlier in his life, God told Moses that Joshua would become the new leader instead. Moses would soon go home to heaven. So Moses prayed to God. He didn’t want God’s people to be left all alone without someone to guide them. He asked God to give the Israelites a faithful leader.
God chose Joshua. Joshua would lead the people into the Promised Land. But Joshua wasn’t perfect either. Moses wasn’t perfect. None of God’s leaders are perfect. And that’s important for us to remember. God still gives us leaders today—parents, teachers, pastors, principals, coaches, and others. Sometimes those leaders make mistakes because they are sinners too. But God still works through them to care for us, teach us his Word, and point us to Jesus.
The best leaders are not the ones who are perfect. The best leaders are the ones who keep leading people back to Jesus. And the greatest leader of all is Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who never sins, never fails us, and promises to lead us safely all the way to our heavenly home.
Prayer:
Almighty God, you lead us through this life to our true Promised Land—our home in heaven. Our parents, our pastors and teachers, and all of our other leaders aren’t perfect. But as they lead us, help them guide us by your Word and your perfect love. Amen.
The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.
Questions for Younger Children
- Why do parents carefully think about who would take care of their children?
- Why did Moses ask God to give the people a new leader?
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- Moses said the people needed a “shepherd.” What does a shepherd do for sheep? How are leaders like shepherds?
- Who is the only perfect leader we have? What makes Jesus different from every other leader?
Questions for Middle School and Above
- Sometimes we don’t like having leaders over us. But why is the thought of being without a leader a little scary?
- Moses sinned, but God still used him for many years. What does that teach us about the kinds of people God works through?
