Keep Going – Even When It Hurts
Today’s Passage – Numbers 19 – 21 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Acts 25 – 28; Proverbs 22; Psalms 111 – 115
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34:6
Read last year’s post from this passage – “Look to Jesus”
“Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.” – (Numbers 20:1-5)
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” – (Proverbs 24:16)
“Never, Never, Never Give Up” (Winston Churchill)
“When you’re going through hell, keep going” (Winston Churchill)
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up” (Thomas Edison)
Sometimes life stinks. How is that for a blunt statement. Oh for sure, there also many, many great moments in life, and tremendous blessings; but there are also times when it is difficult to drag yourself out of bed. And, for whatever reason, God chooses to allow us to go through these rough days.
Think about the things that Moses had to deal with as the leader of God’s people here in Numbers 20. The chapter opens up with the death of his sister. When a loved one dies, it can certainly be a time of discouragement. I am sure that Moses was more than a little sad at the passing of his sister. However, it does not stop there. The very next verse tells us that at that time there was another shortage of water, which caused the people to “chide” with Moses. Didn’t they understand that he had just buried his sister? I mean, give the guy a break, will ya. Give him some time to mourn.
God next told Moses to speak to the rock in order for the people to get water, but the next thing we find out is that Moses lost his temper, and smote the rock, instead of just speaking to it. God was not happy with Moses, and Moses lost his ticket to the Promised Land as a result. I feel bad for the guy, and I can understand the way he felt, as well as the way he acted. There have been many times when I have used poor judgment, and have acted rashly when the pressure was on in my life.
The chapter closes out with another tragedy, the death of his brother, Aaron, seemingly also a result God’s judgment for Moses’ striking the rock. So, in one chapter Moses loses his sister, his brother, his future leadership position in Canaan; not to mention the fact that the people were ticked off at him. I would have quit. Moses didn’t. He kept going – even though it hurt. Read the next chapter, and you will find Moses continuing in leadership, and fighting battles for the Lord.
I don’t know what you are facing today, but I know that you need to keep going. Moses didn’t quit, and neither should you.
Posted in Thoughts from Numbers by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.