Don't forfeit the race

"But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them." Numbers 20:12

This is the stuff of runners' nightmares... you've run a great race, you're finishing strong with the finish line in view and then it happens. You trip and fall. The race is over. Unfortunately, it's a scenario played out too many times in our spiritual lives. And no one is immune to it. Moses was, by all accounts, one of the most faithful servants of God. Exodus 33:11 even says that, "the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." There is no doubt that Moses was a personal friend of God and a devout follower throughout his lifetime.  You could easily say that he was running a great race...but then it happened.

Just before he was to enter "the promised land", Moses took his eyes off the finish line. The bible tells us that the Lord commanded Moses to take his staff and speak to the rock so it would pour out water for the Israelites to drink. Moses did as he was told and took the staff from the Lord's presence. And then..."He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank." (Numbers 20:10-11).

They got water, so what went wrong? Moses was commanded to speak to the rock, he instead struck the rock. He didn't give God the glory but claimed it for himself when he said, "must we bring you water out of this rock?". He was so close to entering the promised land but, in response to his disobedience was told, "you will not bring this community into the land I give them." In a moment, it was over. The race was done. He had tripped and fallen. My friends, even the small stuff will trip us up if we aren't careful. Don't forfeit your race.

Heavenly Father, thank you, thank you, thank you for the examples that you show us in your Word that we can make mistakes and be forgiven. Moses may not have been the one to lead the people into the promised land, but we can rest assured that he made it into "the promised land" and is residing with You in heaven. When we get off course Lord, lead us back that we might finish the race and claim the prize awaiting us. And when we trip and fall, Lord, be there to discipline us and set us straight that we might not forfeit the race altogether. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

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Running to you - Newsboys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGRRuVDSuwE&list=RDcGRRuVDSuwE