S. Numbers 20:1-13 (NIV) In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.
2 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! 4 Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? 5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”
6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. 7 The Lord said to Moses, 8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”
9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. 10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.
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.”
13 These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord and where he was proved holy among them.
O. Afer dealing with rebellion and people who were grumbling, Moses likely was tired. He displayed his anger publically, a dangerous leadership mistake. Because of Moses’ behavior at Meribah, God barred Moses from the promised land.
Whether we are in leadershsip or not, we all need to be sure we are rested before we make critical decisions that can be immensley impacting. Having served in full time ministry for the past 28 years I have learned that, at least as a pastor or leader, you never want to make a decision on Monday. Decisions that are made when one is tired or has had emotions challenged, need to rest and do all they can to cultivate a grateful heart. No easy trick, but with God’s help, not impossible by any means.
Moses, I think, made a huge mistake by venting publically (striking the rock). In terms of leadership, this can be costly. It certainly cost Moses his leading the people of Israel into the promised land.
A. I desire to be the “voice of more” to others that God brings into my sphere of influence. I will continue to be sure to practice such disciplines as honoring the Sabbath so that I can hear God’s voice, cultivate a grateful spirit and be sure that I do not make decisions when I’m tired or emotional (regardless of the situation). I also desire to teach these principles to others.
P. Thank you Father for your word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to cultivate a spirit of gratefulness regardless of what is happening around me. In Jesus’ name!
