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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Numbers 20:12
But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in Me enough to honour Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
No wonder the Bible Scholar, Paul, says, “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:27). I must admit that as I get older, I am just beginning to understand what Paul meant and have a similar feeling. How terrible it would be, after having taught people all my life how to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, and that obedience is greater than sacrifice - that they followed the teaching but I lost my way and failed - what a tragedy.
The trouble is that God doesn’t count our knowledge, He looks for character and obedience to His Word. A couple of days ago we saw what God did to Miriam and Aaron for speaking against Moses - an awesome immediate response. In Chapter 16, Korah, Dathan and Abiram led an uprising with 250 community leaders against Moses. Again God acted immediately and the 3 of them, their families, tents and possessions were all buried alive in an earthquake and the other 250 were burnt to death.
Here in Chapter 20, Miriam died and the people grumbled all over again because of a lack of water. God would provide water - of course, He would - from the rock just like last time. But God told Moses to “speak” to the rock and it would produce the water. Moses finally lost his cool. He “struck the rock” - just like last time and out came the water, just like last time. But God did not say, “Strike” the rock. He said “Speak” to it.
God is a creative God - He is not boring and He wants to stretch our obedience and faith. Don’t just do what you did last time because that may not be what God expects. Listen to what He says and follow Him. Or, as the saying goes - “Read His Lips!” But how will you discern His will if you don’t ‘wait on Him’? We need to spend time and listen. Don’t always do all the talking - take time to listen. Then ‘pay attention’ and do what He says - not your interpretation of what He says, or your ‘better judgement’.
Also, heed the warning of James, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). If that isn’t enough to put you off - remember Moses. He was the greatest leader that ever lived but did not get to lead the people into the Promised Land. Oh yes, he saw it but it was a case of ‘so near and yet so far’.
Was God harsh? I think so - but then, as I say that, I make God in my image. God is Holy, Holy, Holy. There is none like Him in Heaven, nor on earth. As He said, “You did not trust Me enough to honour Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites.” God honoured Moses and produced the water. (He also took him to the Promised Land - see Matthew 17:3.)
Never forget God is awesome in His Holiness.
We must never presume on His grace.
(And yes, don’t forget to really listen to Him and then do what He actually says each time.)
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