May 25, 2021 | Numbers 20

Read Numbers 20

Scripture- Numbers 20:12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

Observation- Moses was told only to speak to the rock. He wasn’t instructed to hit the rock with the staff. In doing so, he didn’t trust the Lord, and he stole glory that belonged to him alone. Because of this sin, Moses was told he could not lead the people into the promised land of Canaan. 

Application- This seems a little harsh. Moses led these people for 40 years and put up with so much complaining and grumbling. He did what God asked him to do. All he did was mess up one time and he can’t get in? That seems a bit unfair. But then I remember that God is a just God who takes sin seriously. Just one sin disqualifies me from heaven. Unfortunately, I sin multiple times a day. Though Moses was disqualified from the promised land of Canaan, God has qualified me for heaven through Jesus. I get to enter the land of rest not because of my own merits but because of the merits of Jesus. Thank you, Lord, for him. 

Prayer- Father, you are a just and holy God that can’t come into contact with the imperfect. Thank you for maintaining justice while also being loving and compassionate. Thank you for Jesus who lived perfectly, died, and rose from the dead to take away my sins that I might enter the promised land of heaven. Hold onto me that I may hold onto Jesus. Amen.