Don't Miss Out...

Dear Friend,

This week I was led to passages in Numbers and Deuteronomy as I followed Moses and his story. Moses. The prophet. The sea parting, Torah writing, bondage releasing man of God. The man who, despite all of this, was denied entry by God Himself into the promise land.

"So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. 10 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?” 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

12 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 20:9-12

"The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. 23 At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. 25 Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor. 26 Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there.”

Numbers 20:22-26

"At that time I pleaded with the Lord: 24 “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? 25 Let me go over and see the good landbeyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.”

26 But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. 27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. 28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” 29 So we stayed in the valley near Beth Peor."

Deuteronomy 3: 23-29

Reading this was a hard pill to swallow. It is often easy to justify ourselves before God, listing all that we have done, reminding Him of how we served Him; yet forgetting that good works is not what gains us His affirmation and glory, but rather obeying him. Whatever this obedience looks like for you, don't play God for a fool, as I often find myself doing. What is it that He asked you to do today or five years ago? Are remaining true to it? Despite the pressure have you stood steadfast, refusing to compromise?

Moses failed to see the promise land because when push came to shove, he was faithless in front of the Israelites and their pressure, rebelling against God. Don't miss out on your promise land. Trust and believe that God will most definitely hold you accountable, regardless of the many great deeds you have done.

Abundantly With Love,

GLO