Our actions are a reflection of our beliefs. We only do that which we truly believe. Many times our unbelief is manifested in ways which are unseen and we are not forced to deal with them until they are revealed in outward actions. Notice the progression of sin which led to Moses being denied entrance into the Promised Land.
1. God’s word realized.
Num. 20:7-12 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.”
2. Unbelief internalized
“And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?”
3. Unbelief exercised
“And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.”
4. Unbelief penalized
“And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”
LESSON - Moses had allowed the sins of the congregation to affect him internally. Rather than focusing upon his own sinful thoughts and motives, he chose to dwell upon the obstinacy of the people. As a result, he viewed himself to be spiritually superior to the people. This rebellion is revealed when he loudly proclaimed “must WE fetch you water”. In a weak moment, he had forgotten that it was God who was providing the water, not him. This led to unrighteous anger which was revealed by him striking the rock rather than speaking to it as God had commanded. Once again we see God extending grace, even in times of unbelief by providing the water without His word being obeyed. But with Moses’ disobedience, we see God’s chastisement brought to fruition and punishment rendered. I’m certain that Moses lived with regret until the day he died.
We should all take a spiritual assessment of our motives, our thoughts, and our actions. If they reveal a heart of unbelief to any degree, it will keep us from experiencing God‘s best for our lives if we choose not to repent. Don’t live with regret! Ask God to change your heart so that you might enjoy a life of obedience and God’s blessings.
Heb. 3:12-13 “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
~Mike