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Psalm 106: 32-33, ESV
They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account, for they made his spirit bitter,[c]and he spoke rashly with his lips. This passage is a reflection of two narratives: Exodus 17:1-7 and Numbers 20: 1-13. A reader may also consider Deuteronomy 32: 48-52. Well, it has been some time since I had written a blog post. I have been in a "reflective, anxious, zone" as I am preparing for an academic challenge in the next few weeks. I have started reading some of the textbooks, more specifically the APA Manual. Meanwhile, my wife and I are slowly integrating into Tennessee. We have found a new community of faith, a local church. We live in a friendly community, apartment living. However, we have not sold our home in Texas. We need someone to purchase the house. Please agree with us that the house will sell soon. I can't help to think that our journey is minor compared to that of Moses. In the scripture noted above, Moses is leading his people in the desert, and they begin to argue with him because they felt forgotten by God. They wanted water, and they wanted water now! Around the same time, Moses is grieving the loss of his sister. The people were anxious, and Moses was grieving his loss. The combination of anxiety, grief, and anger can cause us to lose focus on God and what he has done for us. What can we learn from Moses? First, Moses went to God in prayer after hearing the problems of the people. Second, Moses allowed his anger to get to him, and he referred to himself and Aaron as to whom was going to meet the needs of the people, "must we bring you water out of this rock?" It is this event, in particular, that led God to tell Moses that he wasn't going to go into the promises land. Why, because Moses broke faith with God. Moses did not attribute the miracle of the water to God but to himself (and Aaron). I encourage you to focus on your relationship with God as you struggle with real-life issues of grief, anxiety, or anger. As you focus on God, it is ok to tell God the feelings that you are experiencing. Spend time with God. Worship and listen for the voice of God or the move of God in your heart. Through prayer and worship, we may keep from acting out in our grief, anxiety, or anger. May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace, Numbers: 6:24-26. © Daniel M. Kinjorski, August 2019
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AuthorDan is in a second career, that of Counselor, but he is a pastor at heart. He desires to present the Word of God in its context and then challenge the reader in its application to our lives. It is the Word of God that brings revival to our souls. The psalmist writes, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer. Categories |
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