Read: Numbers 20:2-13
Moses makes three mistakes in this account of God providing water for the people of Israel. First, he takes the credit. He asks Israel, “Shall WE get water…?” Second, he disobeys. Instead of speaking to the rock, he hits it. And lastly, we discover that his disobedience was motivated by a lack of trust in God’s ability to do what He said He would do.
Ironically, Moses was able to see the unbelief in the people of Israel -In fact, he pointed a finger at it, going as far as calling them, “rebels” – but was unable to see it in himself. Flaws are often easier to see in others – especially those we lead.
“Suzie is so stubborn.”
“Brian never listens to a word I say.”
“Liz is the biggest whiner.”
What would have happened if Moses would have concerned himself less with the lack of Israel’s faith in God and more with his own lack of faith in God? Would this story have turned out differently? As leaders, and parents, we must remember that things flow from the top down, not from the bottom up. If we see an area of sin, pride, or unbelief in our home, the best place for us to go is to our knees.
“Search ME, O God, and know my heart. Test ME and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in ME and lead ME in the way of everlasting (Psalm 139:24).” It starts here – in US, the parents of the family, the leaders of the home. We must first begin to point the fingers towards ourselves and check the motive of our hearts. And, the beautiful part of all of this is this: just as unbelief can pour from the top down, so can FAITH, and COMPASSION, and KINDNESS, and INTEGRITY! What is IN us will pour OUT of us.
Years ago, my son – a thriving three-year-old with more passion in one finger than most of us have in our whole bodies, decided to throw what I like to the call the “Tantrum of All Tantrums.” I did everything I knew to do to get him to stop, but nothing was working. After almost an hour of him screaming, crying, and rolling on the ground – I had reached the end of my patience.
Stomping my foot on the ground, I growled, “That’s enough! I’m tired of this.” Tears began to overflow my eyes and pour down my cheeks. I had never been more frustrated! Throwing myself into a chair nearby, I wrapped my arms tightly around myself and began what can only be called “the Pout of All Pouts.”
Just then, God stepped in.
“Niki, why are you doing what you don’t what him to do?”
God’s words stunned me – like cold water to the face. I sat in silence, processing truths I hadn’t wanted to accept. I couldn’t give what I hadn’t received. I couldn’t show what I didn’t know. I couldn’t teach what I had not learned. Science teaches us: we reproduce after our own kind. So if I wanted to see it in my son, I had to see it in me first.
Kneeling down beside my chair, I asked for God’s forgiveness. I asked for Him to help me grow as a mother. I thanked Him for His grace. And then I opened my eyes… only to find my little boy watching.
Journal:
Let’s begin with this prayer:
“Search me (investigate me, dig deep, examine me thoroughly),
O God, and know (acquire knowledge of) my heart!
Try me (put me on trial, test me by fire) and know (acquire knowledge of) my thoughts.
See if there be any wicked (idolatrous, sinful) way (path) in me
and lead me (back) in the way (onto the path) of everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24
Now take a few moments to sit with the Lord and write what God reveals to you…