Devotionals for October 20, 2022
FALL FEST will be on Saturday, October 29 from 4:00-7:00pm. Make plans to join us!
READ
NUMBERS 20:9-12
"9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. 12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
"9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill. 12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
REFLECT
When we enter the story at Numbers 20:9, Moses has been leading the people of Israel for quite some time. Most of which has been fraught with pressure, stress, and burden. Prior to this exchange, we know that Moses has been advised to select leaders to divide and carry the burden on more than one occasion. God on multiple occasions, through godly counsel, was showing Moses what structures to put in place to be able to handle the pressures of leadership. However, it does not appear that this advice is ever implemented. In these verses, Moses’ ability to hold it all together cracks- and he breaks under the pressure, lashing out in anger and frustration.
APPLY
Q: How might this exchange has gone differently if Moses was not acting out of frustration and overwhelmed?
Q: What do you do under pressure? How do you respond?
Q: Do you have the right structures in place to handle the pressure when it comes?
Q: What do you do under pressure? How do you respond?
Q: Do you have the right structures in place to handle the pressure when it comes?
SING
PRAY
"Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us."
Father, forgive me for the ways in which I have held onto the things you have asked me to lay down. Forgive me for the ways in which I have lashed out or chosen poor coping mechanisms due to being overwhelmed, instead of turning to You. Holy Spirit, fill me with your presence, show me how to sit with you, to know you, to hear your voice- so that I may find peace and rest in You. Amen.
Father, forgive me for the ways in which I have held onto the things you have asked me to lay down. Forgive me for the ways in which I have lashed out or chosen poor coping mechanisms due to being overwhelmed, instead of turning to You. Holy Spirit, fill me with your presence, show me how to sit with you, to know you, to hear your voice- so that I may find peace and rest in You. Amen.