Reading
- Num. 20:1-29; 21:1-35; 33:1-49
Devotional
Moses had a very special relationship with GOD, a relationship that was unlike even the prophets. GOD told the Israelites:
“Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, even plainly, and not in dark sayings; and he sees the form of the LORD. …”
(Num. 12:6-8 NKJV)
And when Moses died we find these words written about him:
But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.
(Deut. 34:10-12 NKJV)
But even great men like Moses aren’t perfect. Moses made mistakes. In Num. 20:2-13, the Bible says that the Israelites were very thirsty and they whined and complained against Moses and the LORD. GOD told Moses to speak to the rock and water would come forth but, instead, Moses struck the rock and did not give glory to GOD for providing the water for the people. As a result of their sin, GOD punished Moses and Aaron by refusing to allow them to enter the Promised Land. Instead they both died before reaching their goal.
Everyone makes mistakes. We all sin. That’s why Jesus came and died upon the cross—to take away our sins. Knowing this, what does GOD want us to do when we sin?
- We must first die with Jesus in order to receive forgiveness of sins (Rom. 6:1-11; Gal. 3:27). This is how we become a Christian, which is, by definition, a disciple of Jesus.
- We must confess our sin to GOD (1 John 1:9) and to each other (Jam. 5:16). Confession is admitting to GOD what He already knows. Confession should be specific—tell GOD what you’ve done (or failed to do) and ask for forgiveness.
- We must keep trying our best to obey GOD and never give up (Prov. 24:16). Be faithful until death (Rev. 2:10).
