Jonathan Moore
Numbers 20:8, 11
“You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”...
...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.
Moses ' struck' the rock when he was told to 'speak' to it, and even though water was released, so too were consequences for his inability/unwillingness to heed the precise instructions of the Lord. 'Second guessing' is a common human frailty that we all suffer from and have to deal with the regret and consequences of it. Faith and obedience must go hand-in-hand.
BEGINNING AND ENDING
Genesis 36:23
“And the children of Shobal were these; Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, Shepho, and Onam.”
King James Version
All reactions:
44
I had woke up with a headache, the nerve pain in my hip was flared up, my workout was pathetic, and my mind was stuck in overthinking mode. All the makings for a bad morning were present yesterday, and I was none too pleasant because of it. Knowing that I needed some personal space, I made my way through the kitchen and grumbled towards the kids that I would be out at the barn.
That’s when something really amazing and unexpected happened.
As I stepped out the back door, I stepped into one of the most beautiful mornings God has ever created. The air was thin and cool, and the back porch was flooded with warm sunshine. I just stood there, eyes closed, and allowed the enveloping light to melt my frustrations away. As I listened to the birds sing sweet praises, a song filled my own heart:
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”
It doesn’t matter how dark or discouraging a morning may be, there’s always light for a look at the Savior.
“Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.” Psalm 89:15-16
Today’s eastern sky is just beginning to brighten. Whether the sun comes up shining gloriously or clouds hide its view, all one has to do to see the Savior and experience his grace is turn to His Word.
It is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. (Psalm 119:105)
“My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word……
My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.”
Psalm 119:25, 28
“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4:4