Trust

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”  -- Numbers 20:12

We live in a results-oriented world. I have often been told, "It's not how you play the game, it’s whether you win or lose." I have seen many business leaders so focused on short-term results, that they squandered their future. It almost feels that the US government is doing the same with the current deficit, which is expected to be $24.19 trillion by the end of 2018. What does God think when it comes to “winning and losing?” Does he care how we win? Numbers 20 reveals God’s expectations for his people. When I first read Numbers 20 I thought that God’s punishment towards Moses and Aaron was harsh. From the congregation’s point of view, Moses and Aaron delivered – they won! Moses provided abundant water to the people and their cattle. On top of that, Moses was probably still grieving the loss of his sister Miriam. How did Moses disobey God? Instead of speaking to the rock as God has commanded them, he hit the rock twice with his staff. This is how Moses provided water to the Israelites earlier in Exodus 17. Some argue that it was Moses’ anger towards the people that got him in trouble (v. 10). However, God makes it abundantly clear that the issue was not Moses and Aaron’s mishandling of God’s instruction, but their lack of faith. They did not believe in God (v. 20). The leaders’ lack of faith led to them not upholding God as holy, a serious charge. The Well Church, as God is calling us to live a life worthy of our calling, He is reminding us that living for God begins with FAITH. May all that we do stem from believing in the One and all of His promises. Let us be a community that lives by FAITH and not by sight. Let us remember Jesus’ words, “Have FAITH in God” (Mark 11:22).