Misused And Abused

The same thing that God used to help Moses do His will was the same thing that Moses used to prove to God that he didn’t truly believe

There are times when we do wrong and we want to blame it on God. “God it was that woman you gave me.”

Or, “God it was that car you blessed me with.”

“God it was the money. I was fine until you blessed me with all of this money.”

“It was that internet connection that you blessed me with.”

All of these things that I just named are gifts from God that we have decided to misuse for Satan time and time again.

This brings us to our scripture for today. It is (Numbers 20:7-12).

Let’s first look at the situation in which he finds himself

(Numbers 20:1 Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.)

Moses is in a desert place - a tract incapable of supporting any considerable population without an artificial water supply

His sister has died - causing stress and the unavoidable questioning of God’s judgment

In the midst of people that don’t truly believe - causing him to feel lonely and unsupported

The people are tired, hungry and thirsty (Numbers 20:2 And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3 And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! 4 And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? 5 And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.) so even if they do believe, the situation is causing them to doubt even themselves

It is important that we attempt to identify with Moses’ situation because some of us are in similar situations and we have to be careful that we don’t make a hasty decision that will keep us out of the promised land like Moses did

Moses smote (smite - to strike sharply or heavily especially with hand or an implement held in the hand) the rock when he was told to speak to the rock. It took faith to believe that speaking to a rock would cause anything to happen. The bible declares and I believe that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11-6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.).

Moses’ back was against the wall.

The people had begun to doubt and question God. He felt desperate but God had him just where He wanted him. He was in a situation where there was no way out except through God

Though our situations may seem desperate to us God is really just setting us up to experience something that only He can do

Not only did Moses misuse his rod by using it to strike the rock but he abused the very thing that God was about to use to bless His people.