In our devotional reading for this past week we read where the children of Israel were continuing to complain, seems like this was a habitual thing with them, as they were traveling through the wilderness. These chronic complainers were griping about everything from the type of food, the lack of provisions from the land, to no water for them to drink. Even though their complaints were addressed to Moses, they were directed, for all practical purposes toward God. In Numbers 20:4 they said, “Why have you brought the Lord’s assembly into the wilderness for us and our livestock to die here?” This statement shows how easily we forget the difficulties of the past when we encounter the difficulties of the present. The children of Israel quickly forgot the abuse and harsh treatment which the Egyptians offered unto them.
Because of the complaints Moses and Aaron sought God’s wisdom and direction. As God spoke to His leaders He offered a simple solution with concrete directions for how Moses could rectify the lack of water problem. In Numbers 20:7 God said, “Take the staff and assemble the community. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will yield water.” What a simple command from God, with you staff assemble the people and speak to the rock! However, we see that Moses and Aaron chose a different path, a more familiar path which they had used before when the children of Israel complained for lack of water. (Ex. 17:5-6) How many times do we revert back to the familiar? How many times do we take God’s commands and adhere to them partially? How many times do we add our own twist on what God tells us to do?
In this account of the water from the rock we see God’s servants attempting to do things in their own power. Numbers 20:10 Moses addresses the children of Israel by saying, “Must WE bring water out of this rock for you?” Later we see where God corrected Moses and punished him for his lack of obedience and trust. His chastisement came in the form verse 12 where God said, “You did not trust me…” How many times have we failed to obey God completely where we just did not trust God? Oh we may have never said that but our actions spoke loudly! In the same verse God also punished Moses and Aaron by telling them they would not have the privilege of leading the children of Israel into the Promised Land.
Too often we allow the small little items to derail us. We think because we are obeying God partially that we are good. God expects complete surrender and total obedience out of His children. If I promised my wife that I would be faithful to her 360 days out of a year but that 5 days were mine to do as I wish, she would correct me in a heartbeat. Yet we offer God a similar proposal. We offer God to be faithful on Sundays but want to have the rest of the week to live as we please. We offer God to carry out His commands in theory but not as He detailed. God expects more from His children. This week let’s offer complete surrender and total obedience to God.
May God Bless His Children Who are Fully Committed to His Cause,
Pastor Ric
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