READING: Numbers 18-20
Think about these truths from today’s reading:
- Even a hero of the faith can make a choice that costs him much.
- Even an intercessor who speaks to God “face-to-face” can disobey Him.
- Even a leader considered one of the most humble men in the world can get arrogant.
- Even a prophet whose face once shone from being in God’s presence can ignore His holiness.
- Even the man God called to lead His people to the Promised Land can miss that land because of his sin.
The story, of course, is Moses striking a rock when God told him instead to speak to it to bring forth water. What might seem minor to us was serious enough that God’s judgment was severe: “But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land I have given them” (Num 20:12).
We don’t know fully why God’s response was so strong. Perhaps it was because Moses and Aaron simply did something different than what God demanded, thus setting their own rules. Maybe it was that Moses’ striking the rock twice was an expression of some type of anger against God. Or it might have been that Moses and Aaron seemingly took credit for the water: “must we bring you water out of this rock?” (Num 20:10). What we do know is what the text tells us: Moses and Aaron did not fully trust God, and their disobedience to His plans was an affront to His holiness. They, too, would thus not enter the Promised Land.
At this pivotal point in Hebrew history, God dramatically reminded His people that He expects nothing less than full obedience. Hear this point, then: when we sin against a holy God, sometimes a a single instance of disobedience can cost us much more than we ever assumed.
At the same time, it’s the enemy who says, “Go ahead and do it. It won’t hurt you this time.” Don’t listen to him today.
ACTION STEPS: Consider these steps today:
- Meditate on this thought: “no matter how much I’ve accomplished for God in the past, and no matter how strongly I aim to follow Him today, I can make seriously wrong choices.”
- If you think, “That can never happen to me,” spend some time confessing your pride to God.
- When temptation comes today, beware of the potential consequences of disobedience.
PRAYER: “God, teach me how much I need You step-by-step, moment-by-moment, day-by-day. With every breath I take, I thank You for Your grace and help.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Numbers 21-22
