Do you struggle with doing things God’s way? Do we complain about it? Let’s look at Numbers 20. The Israelites are complaining, yet again, about the lack of water. Moses is tired of complaining. Can you relate to this? This time around, with them complaining, is no different than the first time. So Moses knows what to do. Pay attention to verse 8. Now, look at verse 10. What does Moses do here? Did Moses follow God’s instructions? No, he struck the rock twice. Moses messed up here. He spoke to the rock, struck it twice, and didn’t even give God the glory for providing drinking water. He failed to be obedient to God. The people didn’t know Moses was disobedient, but He did, and so did God. Even though it seems to have been successful, there will be a consequence for this action.
Have you ever done what Moses has done? Taken action and ignored God’s instructions? Let’s see how Jesus handles such a situation. Read Matthew 4: 5-7 and Deuteronomy 6:16. How does Jesus begin his rebuttal to Satan? What does Jesus quote from Deuteronomy?
Read Exodus 17:1-7. What happens in this section of scripture? This also symbolizes that Jesus is our eternal living water in the New Testament. Why does the Israelites attitude test God? Meditate on verse 7 for a while. The Israelites were complaining and grumpy because they were not getting their way. Read Exodus 15 22-27. What does God tell them?
Satan tries to tempt Jesus into making God save him. Jesus quotes Exodus 17 back to him, basically stating the Jesus knows that the people in the past tried to force God’s hand in hard times. However, Jesus is standing in faith, trusting in God’s heart.
God calls us to complete obedience. This is what the phrase “to guard you in all your ways” means. We need to be one hundred percent submitted to God’s way and plan. We can not be cafeteria Christians. This means we are not picking or choosing how and when we will follow God. We need to choose all the time to trust God in all of His ways. Read Proverbs 3:5-6. What portion matches Psalm 91:11? Submission is agreeing to follow someone. It is a free-will decision. Jesus willingly submitted to God’s plan to save the people on earth. He gave His life for us, not to create circumstances requiring God to save His life for acts of self-interest. Jesus had clarity about who he was and what God called him to do. Jesus gave us instructions on who we’re called to be and what we’re called to do. Read Mark 12:30-31. What are those two commands? When we choose to love God, we are also choosing to love others. We are choosing to trust Him with our whole heart.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your word. Thank you for showing us your ways. I pray that we will choose to be submissive to your ways and plans.
In Jesus Name
Amen
