Tweaking Can Cost You!

I was amazed as I studied this passage again today about Moses. When you first read it - it doesn't seem like such a big deal that Moses attempted to "tweak" God's command (for whatever reason). Then again... perhaps it is a big deal! At least God thought so!

• Numbers 20:6-12

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." [emphasis mine]

God said, "Speak to that rock." - Moses struck the rock twice instead. His speech to the people makes it seem like he [Moses] is the one who is bringing the water from the rock - rather than God. God - needed to show Moses and the people Who was in charge [the Holy One of Israel] and Who was providing the water they needed. It seems like such a little thing [of disobedience] yet look what it cost Moses (vs12). And God kept His Word. Moses never did enter the Promised Land.

I know I often fail to take God at His Word - or obey exactly as He says. I know I have done just that - tried to "tweak" God's commands thinking it's no big deal. I hope that the next time I face a clear command of the Lord - I will think twice (beforehand) about the consequences that could follow my "tweaking".

• Matthew 5:37

Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie