“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you have not believed me, to treat me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” Numbers 20:12
Did you catch that? Did you notice the reason why God told Moses He was not going to be allowed to enter the promised land
This is the account of Moses big mistake. And it cost him big time.
Moses had been to this point, and overall was, a fantastic leader of the people and servant of God. But, He failed in following through on God’s instructions for providing water for the people, and He ended up facing the consequences.
So what was the reason that Moses consequences were so severe?
Was it because he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God instructed?
Was it because this man, full of humility and meekness, finally reached a breaking point and lost his temper?
Was it because he called the people a bunch of “rebels?”
Was it because after he struck the rock twice and enough water came out to quench the thirst of more than a million people, along with the all the animals, that He seemed to take credit for the water instead of glorifying God?
Maybe…perhaps in part. He did after all not obey God completely. He did disobey God.
But did you catch the key phrase?
God said, “Because you have not believed me..”
Moses actions were more than just disobedience, temperamental outburst, or frustration. They were the actions resulting in a lack of faith.
Here was a man who had seen the most amazing miracles take place before his eyes, and through His hands…and for a moment he struggled. In a brief minute, he faltered, and failed and therefore had to face the consequences.
It should serve as a reminder to us as Christians. No matter how faithful, not matter how spiritual, no matter how spiritually mature we are, we must remain vigilant, because the Devil wants to take that one moment of weakness and make us pay.
Now, this could have meant the collapse of Moses. He could have thrown up his hands at God, and said, if that is how it is going to be, I’m done.
But He didn’t
The proof of Moses character is that he passed the most severe of tests. When things did not go Moses way, Moses did not fold up shop, give up, and quit.
After hearing of his consequences, and knowing that He would not be able to enter the promised land, do you know what Moses did?
He continued to lead. He led the Israelites the rest of the journey, the remainder of the 40 years of wandering. Then he spent nearly the entire book of Deuteronomy encouraging and challenging the people of Israel to claim the Land of Promise and to live for God all their days.
The test of our character is the same. When God does not give us what we think we want and ask for, or when he takes away that which we really want, or when things don’t seem fair; do we quit on God, or do we soldier on for His glory?
Oh that we would be like Moses and continue to serve God all the rest of our days…
Just like Moses.
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