There was a man charged with the task of governing, caring and guiding a people into their destiny. Though they were chosen, they were accustomed to being “second class citizens,” having been slaves in a country that was not their own. After hundreds of years of bondage, they were liberated, yet freedom of the body proved far easier to achieve than the freedom of their souls.
Moses delivered the children of Israel from 400 years of slavery, operating as a savior for the Savior of the world. He leads them to their promise, but by his behavior nullified his access and ultimately wasn’t permitted to enter.
Moses was passionate like many of us, but naturally we become weary and grieved when dealing with the same pressures. Beautiful passions that previously stirred others to believe and hope, can spill out in an unflattering way.
In Exodus 17:1-7, while caravaning through the wilderness Israel cried out for water. Moses was well acquainted with the inconsistencies in the attitudes of this emerging nation, one moment they praised God and the next they grumbled in discontent. Israel had actually complained from the time they were delivered from Egypt! Nonetheless, Moses went before God for His aid. Following God’s instructions precisely, Moses struck the rock, releasing water to a meet the needs of the people. In an eerily similar account found in Numbers 20:1-13, the people longed for water and again complaints rang out. Following proper protocol, Moses went before God and this time, he received a command to simply speak to the rock. Moses was frustrated and this is something we all can identify with, he spoke to the people saying, “Listen now, YOU REBELS; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10b NASB) In this temporary state of annoyance, Moses experienced a lapse in judgment and hit the rock TWO TIMES!
He probably would have functioned with precise obedience if he hadn’t been so worn. Moses did not have “time” for the people’s contempt. Moses allowed emotions to rule, which is deadly, and reacted in obstinance to the admonishment God provided. This flighty decision proved costly and as a result, God didn’t allow him to enter the promised land.
Can you imagine how disappointing that had to have been? To labor and toil with 2 million + people for many decades only to be denied entry to the promise. To see the rebellious and unstable nation that you had guided receive the promise you were supposed to share in…
These people were so used to being enslaved that though they were physically free, their minds just hadn’t been able to make the necessary paradigm shift to be equally liberated. This proved to be a grievance to Moses.
THE SILVER LINING
The pearl is an interesting creation. It’s formed when a foreign mass enters the sensitive bedding of an oyster. The oyster, being irritated by this outside object, defensively releases secretions to coat the mass in an effort to bring back its comfort. This coating eases the discomfort the oyster is subjected to by smoothing the surface of the agitant lodged within. Simultaneously, the object of torment and frustration is buffeted to beauty by the oyster.
Photo Credit: Mockzkos via Flickr
In all that we experience, there is some value. Often the lens we judge our observations through is so distorted with negativity that is all we can see. If we love God, there is no question that we should love His people, bearing the burdens of others on our hearts and like Moses, releasing it to God for His help. Yet what seems like a small charge to love, at times can be very difficult. Once I said to God, I’ll never walk away from You, but I’ll walk away from Your people. God quickly corrected me responding clearly, “To walk away from My people is to walk away from Me.” Shortly after I heard a scripture, the Parable of the Sheep & Goats found in Matthew 25:31-46. In this story, Jesus made it very clear that we are to recognize Him in every person we see, knowing that what we do or don’t do to the least of those we encounter, we also do to Him.
Don’t guide others to their promise only to forfeit your share because of an emotion. Agitation has to take place! Count to 10, think about the big picture, pray and then react.
THE SOLUTION
This is a progressive work, meaning there will always be new challenges and with them new opportunities to become better. Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29 NKJV) This means to submit to Him and learn from Him. Learn about Jesus by reading the gospels, which include the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The more we learn of Jesus, the more we can look like Him, respond like Him and the better we can handle these situations.
PRAYER
Father, we realize a pearl cannot form without agitation. First, the comfort of the oyster is breached, causing us pain in the sensitivity of our innermost being, often taking place as a hurt or offense to our hearts. As we are being aggravated by life and grieved by others let us excrete the fruit of Your Spirit so that these objects of torment will become symbols of beauty! Let us not be ruled by our emotions, forfeiting all the promises You have for us, but let us be governed by Your Spirit! Bring to light, remove every barrier and behavior that is contrary to Yours!
In Jesus Name, Amen!
All of us are leaders, you may not have a group of people that refer to you as one, but there is always someone watching and always someone looking up to you.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 New Living Translation (NLT)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version (NKJV)
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